Ex Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina’s home ransacked, protestors don her sarees

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s house has been ransacked and looted by protestors. Thousands of youths stormed into the ex-PM’s residence in the capital city of Dhaka and were seen stealing her clothes.

Monday's violence followed weeks of protests against a government job quota system and opposition to Hasina's 15-year rule. Thousands of demonstrators stormed her official residence and other properties linked to her party and family.


Viral images showed the mob parading through the streets with personal items, such as bras and a blouse. One man was seen wearing a saree and carrying a plastic bucket filled with clothes, while another held up a purple blouse.

Social media users condemned the looting and display of personal belongings. Throughout the day, people streamed into and out of Ganabhaban, the official residence of the Bangladesh Prime Minister, where they set fires, removed furniture, and took raw fish from refrigerators.

People were seen leaving the premises with cattle, television sets, blankets, gym equipment, and even a blue Dior suitcase. "I am inside the Ganabhaban Palace," Bangladeshi journalist Yasir Arafat told AFP. "There are more than 1,500 people inside the palace. They are breaking furniture and glass."

Sheikh Hasina, 76, arrived at Hindon Air Base near Delhi on Monday evening, hours after resigning as the prime minister of Bangladesh. She and her sister had departed Ganabhaban in Dhaka by military helicopter. Following Hasina's resignation, the military took control of the country. The veteran politician, in power since 2009, faced accusations of rigging January's elections and saw millions of people take to the streets over the past month demanding her resignation.