Dhaka, August 26 – Former Chief Justice SK Sinha has made serious allegations against the government led by Sheikh Hasina, accusing it of using intelligence agencies to force him to leave the country and resign from his position. These claims were made during a recent video interview with a private television channel, where SK Sinha detailed the events surrounding his departure and the political turmoil of 2017.
In his book, A Broken Dream, SK Sinha elaborates on his experiences and the alleged government pressure that led to his resignation. He claims that the conflict with the government began over the issue of impunity for loan defaulters and reached its peak with the repeal of the Sixteenth Amendment, which dealt with the authority to remove judges. According to Sinha, this legal battle marked the beginning of his strained relations with the ruling government.
SK Sinha alleged that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina used intelligence agencies, particularly the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), to intimidate him. He specifically accused the former DGFI chief, Saiful Abedin, of being directly involved in forcing him out of the country. “The government got angry and started torturing me,” Sinha claimed. “The then DGFI chief Saiful Abedin told me, ‘You will resign and go out of the country.’ I said, ‘Who are you? Where did you get the authority to ask me to resign?’”
He further mentioned that his internet connection was cut off, and detectives prevented him from meeting or speaking with anyone. Sinha also alleged that the government manipulated the perception of his health to create a pretext for his departure. “I am completely healthy, but two or three doctors used to come from PG Hospital (BSMMU),” Sinha said. “They said the government sent them, they have nothing to do here. Through this, the government wanted people to believe I was sick and needed to go abroad for treatment. But I wasn't sick.”
Following his departure from Bangladesh, a case was filed against SK Sinha, which he described as fabricated. Now residing abroad, Sinha expressed his desire to return and fight the legal battle. “I was already sure that Sheikh Hasina will fall,” he stated, demanding accountability and legal proceedings against the current government.
SK Sinha’s statements have stirred considerable controversy, as they directly challenge the actions of the Sheikh Hasina administration. The allegations of misuse of intelligence agencies and the purported coercion tactics used against a former Chief Justice highlight the intense political struggle and legal battles that have characterized this period in Bangladesh’s history.
Comment: