Sheikh Hasina charged as South Asia and Canada face fresh security shocks

Newdelhi,UPDATED: Jul 27, 2026 20:48 IST

Several developments were reported across South Asia, North America and West Asia on Monday, ranging from a major crimes against humanity case in Bangladesh to communal violence in Nepal and a suspected targeted killing in Canada.

Authorities in Bangladesh filed formal charges against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 40 others over a 2013 police crackdown on a rally in Dhaka. In Nepal, one person was killed in a communal clash in Sunsari district near the Indian border, while police in Canada reported the killing of a 26-year-old Indian-origin woman in Toronto and a major drug seizure in Ontario. In Sri Lanka, a threat linked to underworld rivalry led to the cancellation of a key ritual at a historic Hindu festival, while regional officials said there had been progress in efforts to bring the United States and Iran back to negotiations.

In Dhaka, Bangladesh's Crimes Tribunal prosecution filed formal charges against Hasina and 40 others in a crimes against humanity case linked to the police action during a rally in 2013.

In Nepal, one person died and several others, including security personnel, were injured in a communal clash in Sunsari district. The violence prompted authorities to impose indefinite restrictive orders in parts of the area from Monday.

In Toronto, police said a 26-year-old Indian-origin woman was shot dead in what is suspected to be a targeted attack. In another case from Canada, police in Ontario arrested 19 people, most of them believed to be of Indian origin, in one of the province's biggest drug busts. Authorities said they seized nearly 1.7 tonnes of narcotics estimated to be worth more than USD 97 million.

In Sri Lanka, police said a deadly threat arising from rivalry between two underworld gangs forced the cancellation of a key ritual during a centuries-old annual religious pageant at a revered ancient Hindu temple.

Meanwhile, regional officials said mediators had made progress in efforts to restore talks between the United States and Iran after both sides paused attacks following a period of rapidly escalating tensions. However, scattered drone attacks by armed groups across the region showed that tensions remained.

Overall, the day saw a mix of legal, security and diplomatic developments, with Bangladesh moving ahead in a high-profile case, unrest reported in Nepal and Sri Lanka, violent incidents and a major narcotics seizure in Canada, and cautious movement towards renewed US-Iran talks.

With PTI Inputs

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