Bangladesh tribunal tells investigators to finish probe against ousted premier Hasina by next month
Dhaka (AP/PTI): A special tribunal in Bangladesh on Monday told investigators they have one month to complete their work on ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her close aides who face charges of crimes against humanity after hundreds of people were killed in a mass uprising this summer.
Golam Mortuza Majumdar, the head judge of the three-member International Crimes Tribunal, set Dec 17 for investigators to finish their work, as the tribunal heard updates Monday from police about what the country's security agencies have done to arrest Hasina and her close aides.
The decision came after prosecutors sought more time for the investigation.
Hasina has been living in exile in India since Aug 5 when she fled the country amid the student-led protests. The Dhaka-based International Crimes Tribunal on Oct. 17 issued arrest warrants for Hasina and 45 others including former Cabinet ministers, advisors and military and civil officials. The country is now being run by an interim government headed by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus.
At least 13 people, including a former law minister and a businessman who was Hasina's private-sector advisor, appeared before the tribunal on Monday, said B M Sultan Mahmud, a prosecutor at the tribunal.
One former Cabinet minister was not brought to the tribunal as he was in custody for police interrogation in a separate case. Another six people will appear on Wednesday, tribunal officials said. At least 20 suspects have been arrested in the case.
The tribunal will also seek updates from police on their progress in arresting the other suspects, including Hasina.
The chief prosecutor of the tribunal has already sought help from Interpol through the country's police chief to arrest Hasina. On Sunday, Yunus said in an address to the nation that his administration would seek Hasina's extradition from India.
Authorities say hundreds of people were killed during the uprising in July and August mainly by security agents seeking to quell the initial protests over government jobs. The violence intensified as the protests morphed into an anti-government movement with more bloodshed, ending Hasina's 15-year rule. Hasina had also earlier sought an investigation into the killings.
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Coldplay's Ahmedabad concerts to be a spectacle to behold
New Delhi (PTI): With an estimated audience turn out of 100,000, popular British band Coldplay is set for its biggest and snazziest gig ever in India at the grand Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad in January.
The organisers of the show, which was added on the band's India leg of "Music Of The Spheres World Tour" due to massive fan demand, believe that it could possibly be the spectacle of the decade and should not only reaffirm Coldplay’s global appeal but also mark a moment of pride for Ahmedabad and India.
According to insiders, a lot of planning has already “been invested” into the concerts, set to be held on January 25, 2025.
Coldplay, led by Chris Martin and popular for songs such as "A Sky Full of Stars", "Viva la Vida", "Yellow" and "Paradise" world over, will perform its second concert in Ahmedabad at the same venue on January 26.
The band, which also consists of guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, drummer and percussionist Will Champion, and manager Phil Harvey, has always been known for its immersive live shows where they blend visual artistry with iconic music.
And it is expected to bring the sizzle quotient several notches up for its date with the concertgoers at the Ahmedabad shows as the band’s global and Indian production partners are pulling out all stops to create a dazzling spectacle.
They have planned mesmerising light displays, immersive projections and stage effects that should help convert the usually energetic Narendra Modi stadium into an otherworldly experience.
BookMyShow Live, the live entertainment experiential arm of ticketing platform BookMyShow, has undertaken the complex logistics of organising this enormous event end-to-end, ensuring a seamless experience, from coordinating essential regulatory approvals to orchestrating a world-class production set-up.
Giant LED screens, synchronised lighting and high-quality sound systems will ensure that fans, no matter where their seat is, have an intimate and powerful connection to the music.
The atmosphere is expected to get electric as Coldplay performs its classic hits alongside new tracks, enveloping the audience in a symphony of sound and light.
The organisers are expecting a huge rush from locals as well as loyal fans from across the country to attend the mega event in Ahmedabad.
Organising a concert of this magnitude from the ground up involves a complex, multi-layered process: from identifying and securing a world-class venue to managing essential regulatory approvals, aligning with the artists’ global schedules and assembling a top-tier production setup, meticulously coordinating logistics to deliver an event of this scale and ensuring a strong focus on safety and security.
BookMyShow Live, insiders said, has been leading the way having thoughtfully considered every single element to ensure Coldplay’s historic moment in India is as exceptional for fans as it is for the band itself.
The concerts are going to be a celebration of Gujarat’s cultural openness, modern infrastructure, its ability to make the impossible possible and its welcoming spirit.
The city has long been celebrated for its impressive landmarks, record-breaking feats and Coldplay’s concerts will only add to this list of achievements.
For locals, welcoming one of the biggest bands in the world is a testament to Ahmedabad’s growth as a cultural and entertainment hub. It’s a chance for Ahmedabad to showcase its world-class venue and its ability to accommodate a massive, diverse crowd with seamless hospitality and efficient event management.
Ahmedabad’s hospitality sector is also gearing up for the influx of concert-goers.
There are reports that hotels around the venue have either been sold out or rates are sky-rocketing around the concert dates.
But as seen during the ICC Cricket World Cup, this has barely deterred fans who opt to stay in nearby towns like Vadodara or travel the same day.
The Ahmedabad concerts not only symbolise Coldplay’s enduring popularity but also its adaptability and vision for creating immersive experiences that resonate with audiences across cultures and generations. Fresh from the band's Australia and Abu Dhabi tour and its three concerts in Mumbai, the Grammy-nominated group would be rearing to deck up an unforgettable experience under the Sky Full Of Stars in Ahmedabad.
