The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has ordered the publication of notices in two major newspapers to summon ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Chhatra League leader Shakil Alam Bulbul to respond to contempt of court charges.

The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Murtoza Majumder, issued the order after considering a petition from Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam.

The notices must be published within seven days in both Bengali and English newspapers, with the next hearing scheduled for June 3.

The tribunal`s action follows the circulation of an online audio clip in which Sheikh Hasina purportedly made a controversial speech claiming that "227 cases have been filed against me, so I have gotten licenses for killing 227 people."

Later, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the police conducted a forensic examination of the conversation and confirmed that it was authentic.

A contempt of court complaint was filed against those on the call on April 30, for giving statements in the case arising from the July mass uprising.

The International Crimes Tribunal accepted the complaint and ordered them to submit their response by May 15. But since they did not reply, the accused were ordered to appear before the tribunal on May 25.

"As both Sheikh Hasina and Bulbul failed to appear before the tribunal today, the court has mandated their publication of notices to ensure their appearance and response to the contempt charges by the stipulated deadline."

Source: UNB