Bangladesh's interim government chief, Muhammad Yunus, has accused former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of undermining the country's institutions in her bid to retain power. Yunus, who became Chief Adviser on August 8 following Hasina's resignation and departure to India on August 5, addressed foreign diplomats in Dhaka, promising to hold "free, fair, and participatory" elections after enacting critical reforms, reported PTI. 

According to the report, Yunus, 84, alleged that Hasina's government, which he termed a dictatorship, has weakened the country's courts and undermined democratic rights through a "brutal" crackdown over the last decade and a half. He indicated that his administration's priorities include modernising the Election Commission, judiciary, civil administration, security forces, and media to create a more transparent and democratic process.