In a significant escalation of Bangladesh’s pursuit of justice, the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division has slotted January 20 for hearing an appeal to impose capital punishment on ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her associate Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. This move by ICT prosecutors challenges the life sentences handed down for crimes against humanity amid July’s deadly quota reform protests.

Thursday’s order from Justice MD Rezaul Haq in the judge-in-chamber court marks a key step. The appeal, lodged on December 15, demands harsher penalties, citing the unparalleled brutality of the events that led to Hasina’s downfall. Prosecutor Ghazi MH Tamim has been vocal, briefing media that life imprisonment falls short for such offenses.

Tamim detailed during a press conference that while death was awarded on one count, the life terms on others must be elevated. He outlined eight compelling reasons in the filing, adhering strictly to the 30-day appeal window and 60-day settlement norms. ‘We expect timely resolution,’ he stated confidently.

The November 17 ICT-1 ruling had split the sentences: death for a primary indictment, life for a secondary one tied to the uprising’s violence. This dual outcome prompted the swift appeal, reflecting the prosecution’s unyielding stance.

As Bangladesh navigates its transitional phase, this case symbolizes the reckoning with past excesses. Observers note the hearing’s potential to influence public sentiment and political stability, with all eyes on how the apex court balances legal rigor against historical context.