ICT-1 rejects ZI Khan Panna’s petition to defend Sheikh Hasina
Published: 12 August 2025, 6:34:10
International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) has dismissed a petition filed by senior Supreme Court lawyer ZI Khan Panna seeking permission to defend former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a crimes against humanity case linked to the July-August Mass Uprising.
The plea was moved on Tuesday by Advocate Naznin Nahar on behalf of ZI Khan Panna, who was reportedly unwell.
She informed the tribunal that Panna wished to serve as the state-appointed defense counsel in the case.
However, the tribunal rejected the request, citing procedural grounds and questioning the timing of the interest shown by the senior lawyer.
“The train has long left the station,” remarked the tribunal. “If you tell the station master you want to board after the train has departed, is it possible? Why is he interested in this case now, when a state-appointed defence counsel is already in place?”
The tribunal further clarified that appointments of state defense counsels fall strictly under its jurisdiction.
“If he wants to be considered for such a role, he may submit his CV. We will review it for future cases,” the bench added.
The case accuses Sheikh Hasina of bearing superior command responsibility for crimes committed during the 2024 July-August Mass Uprising.
A state defense counsel is already representing her in the proceedings.
