Publish summons for Hasina in newspapers: ICT

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has ordered the publication of a public notice in newspapers summoning deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leader Shakil Alam Bulbul to face contempt of court charges, reports bdnews24.com.

A three-member tribunal panel led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumdar issued the order after hearing a petition by the chief prosecutor on Sunday.

The legal representatives of the accused, who are currently absconding, did not appear before the tribunal, which set Jun 3 for the next order.

A complaint was filed against Hasina and former president of Gobindaganj upazila unit of BCL Shakil on Apr 30 over statements linked to a July Uprising case. The ICT had ordered the accused to file their response by May 15.

After they failed to comply, the tribunal ordered the accused to appear before it on May 25.

On Sunday, Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam informed the tribunal that the accused did not appear in line with the order.

He told the tribunal, "Contempt of court notices have been issued against Sheikh Hasina and Shakil. But they did not file any response.