Bangladesh’s capital has come to a standstill as violent attacks and rising political tension grip the country ahead of a key verdict against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who faces charges of crimes against humanity linked to last year’s deadly student uprising.

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) is scheduled to announce its decision on November 17, a moment many say could redefine Bangladesh’s political future. Hasina, currently living in exile in India, is being tried in absentia for allegedly ordering a violent crackdown that left more than 500 people dead in 2024.

Dhaka Turns into a Fortress

The streets of Dhaka, usually packed with traffic, were eerily quiet on Thursday as authorities imposed tight security and checkpoints across entry routes. Thousands of personnel from the police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and the army were stationed around key installations.

Public transport ran at minimal levels, schools shifted to online classes, and residents reported heavy screening of vehicles entering the capital. Officials warned of strict action against anyone attempting to disrupt order.
“There is no cause for concern or fear. Dhaka city dwellers will stand against the Awami League’s subversive activities,” said Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali.

Wave of Arson and Bomb Attacks

Over the last 48 hours, a series of arson and crude bomb attacks have swept through Dhaka, Gazipur, and Brahmanbaria, leaving parts of the country on edge. A Grameen Bank office founded by current interim leader Muhammad Yunus was set ablaze in Brahmanbaria, destroying documents and property.

Several buses, a railway coach, and a government building were also torched, while multiple crude bomb explosions were reported near Dhaka University, injuring three people. Police have arrested 44 members of the now-banned Awami League since Tuesday and claim to have seized a cache of petrol bombs and explosive materials.

The Case Against Hasina

Once hailed as Bangladesh’s longest-serving prime minister, Sheikh Hasina is facing five criminal charges, including murder, conspiracy, and provocation to violence. Prosecutors allege she ordered security forces to open fire on student demonstrators during the 2024 “July Uprising”, which eventually led to her government’s downfall.

Among the allegations are the killing of student protester Abu Sayed in Rangpur and the shooting of six unarmed civilians in Dhaka’s Chankharpul area. Hasina’s former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and Police Chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun are also accused, though Al-Mamun has turned state witness.

Political Fallout and India Angle

The verdict comes at a volatile time, with national elections due in early 2026. Hasina’s Awami League, banned from political activities, has called for a nationwide protest campaign, labeling the tribunal a “kangaroo court.”

Tensions with India have also deepened after Hasina gave a series of interviews to Indian media from her undisclosed location. In response, Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry summoned India’s Deputy High Commissioner in Dhaka to protest what it called “interference in internal affairs.”

The Yunus-led interim government, which took power in August 2024 after Hasina’s ouster, has since requested her extradition, though India has yet to respond.

Concerns Over Fairness of Trial

International observers and human rights groups have questioned the transparency of the proceedings. UK-based law firm Doughty Street Chambers recently appealed to the United Nations, claiming that Hasina is being tried “in an environment charged with political vengeance.”

In retaliation, representatives of the Awami League have filed petitions with the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing the interim government of “arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and political persecution.”

As Bangladesh braces for the tribunal’s verdict, the country finds itself once again at a crossroads torn between justice, vengeance, and a deep struggle for democratic legitimacy.