Bangladesh’s foreign ministry has formally requested that India hand over former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been labelled a “fugitive accused,” following a tribunal verdict that sentenced the senior Awami League leader to death.
In an official communication, the ministry referred to the existing extradition treaty between the two neighbouring nations and stated that it was the “responsibility” of New Delhi to facilitate Hasina’s return to face legal proceedings in Bangladesh.
The ministry said in its letter, “Offering shelter to individuals who have been convicted of crimes against humanity by any other nation would be viewed as a deeply unfriendly gesture and a denial of justice.”
The statement came shortly after the International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh delivered its judgement, ruling against Hasina and former interior minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal for several counts linked to last year’s student protest crackdown.
Former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun was also held responsible for participating in what the tribunal concluded were “crimes against humanity.”
Sheikh Hasina’s stay in India
Hasina was forced out of office after massive student-led demonstrations erupted across the country, eventually collapsing her administration in August last year. She has remained in India since then, taking refuge at an undisclosed location in Delhi under full security provided by Indian authorities, according to her son Sajeeb Wazed.
In an earlier email response to HT, the former prime minister expressed appreciation to India, saying, “I am sincerely thankful to the people of India for offering me protection during the past year.”
The 78-year-old leader had refused to comply with a Bangladesh court order that instructed her to return home to be present during trial proceedings related to allegations that she authorised the violent suppression of protests.
Hasina dismisses verdict as politically driven
Responding to the tribunal’s ruling, Hasina called the judgement illegitimate and rejected all allegations, declaring that the process was overseen by a “manipulated tribunal created and operated by an unelected administration that lacks democratic legitimacy.”
She claimed the decision reflected “biased and politically motivated intentions” and accused members of the interim authority of attempting to erase both her political identity and the Awami League’s influence. Her statement argued that the call for capital punishment “exposes the extreme and violent objectives of those seeking to remove the final elected prime minister in Bangladesh.”
Hasina was convicted on three separate charges: encouraging violence, instructing killings, and failing to prevent abuses during the July protests.
The ruling comes only months ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming national election, which is expected to take place in February 2026.
