‘Shoot me, bury me here’: Inside Sheikh Hasina’s final night in power, says prosecutor

Bangladesh: New information has emerged detailing the dramatic events surrounding the resignation of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.

According to Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam of the International Crimes Tribunal, Hasina resisted intense pressure from military and political leaders to step down, even as protests overwhelmed state forces and the capital teetered on the brink of collapse.

Speaking during a legal hearing, Islam recounted the chaotic night of 4 August 2024, describing a "tense and volatile" meeting at Ganabhaban, the prime minister’s official residence. High-ranking ministers, ruling party officials, and military leaders were present. During the meeting, retired Major General Tarique Ahmed Siddique, then Hasina’s defence adviser, suggested that she resign—a proposal that reportedly enraged her.

Hasina allegedly refused to surrender power, ordering the army to confront the protestors. Siddique reportedly proposed opening fire on the crowds, even suggesting aerial attacks using helicopters. This extreme measure was opposed by the then Air Force chief, who warned Hasina that Siddique's advice was disastrous, saying: “He has sunk you, and he will sink you again.”

By midnight, the country’s situation had deteriorated further. Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun informed Hasina that security forces were running low on ammunition and could not hold off the advancing demonstrators.

Despite repeated pleas, Hasina remained defiant. According to Islam, she exclaimed, “Then shoot me and bury me here, in Ganabhaban.” Her sister, Sheikh Rehana, reportedly begged her to step down, even falling at her feet, but Hasina stood firm.

It was only after contacting her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, that the deadlock broke. He ultimately convinced his mother to resign, and she fled Dhaka shortly thereafter.

The revelations were made during proceedings related to charges of crimes against humanity during the July 2024 uprising in Chankharpul, a key protest hotspot. Islam's account offers the most detailed insight yet into the final hours of Hasina’s regime, which collapsed under the weight of public dissent and military refusal to support violent crackdowns.

Hasina’s resignation paved the way for a transitional administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, whose government has since faced its own challenges, including mass demonstrations over civil service reforms.