The government of Bangladesh has formally initiated the process to secure the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India, according to statements made by the nation’s Law Minister, Md Asaduzzaman. The request, filed under the existing bilateral extradition treaty between the two neighbouring countries, marks a significant diplomatic development following the political transition in Dhaka.
Speaking to reporters in Dhaka on Sunday, Law Minister Asaduzzaman described the former leader as a "convicted criminal" and asserted that the government is committed to pursuing her return strictly through legal channels. The minister emphasized that while the law ministry is not the direct executor of the extradition process, the home affairs ministry is coordinating the move to ensure it adheres to the formal treaty obligations shared with India.
"To me, she is a criminal. A criminal convicted by our tribunal. To us, this is her identity," Asaduzzaman said, as reported by local media. He added that the administration is operating with a focus on legal requirements rather than personal sentiment, stating, "We have requested her repatriation under the treaty and through due process."
The legal basis for this request stems from a November 2025 verdict delivered by Bangladesh’s international crimes tribunal. The court found Hasina guilty of crimes against humanity linked to the intense unrest that gripped the nation during the July-August 2024 uprising. Having been tried in absentia, the former prime minister was sentenced to death on one charge and received a life imprisonment sentence on a separate count.
Sheikh Hasina, who served as prime minister for 15 years, fled to India on August 5, 2024, amid mass protests that led to the collapse of her administration. An interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus subsequently assumed power. Following parliamentary elections held in February, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, formed the current government.
The status of the extradition request now rests with the Indian government. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has previously confirmed that it has received requests regarding Hasina’s extradition and stated that these are being evaluated through established bureaucratic processes. As of the current update, no final decision has been announced by New Delhi.
Tensions surrounding the issue have occasionally surfaced in the media. In August 2024, during an audio-only virtual press conference allegedly held in New Delhi, Hasina expressed an intention to return to Bangladesh despite the risks of imprisonment or death. This led to a formal expression of outrage from the Bangladeshi foreign ministry. At the time, India distanced itself from the event, clarifying that the interaction was organised by a private media entity without any involvement from the Indian government.
The current legal proceedings remain a closely watched matter between the two nations, with Dhaka maintaining that it will continue to follow the formal steps required by the treaty. Whether India will accede to the request remains a subject of ongoing review by relevant government agencies, as both countries navigate the complexities of their legal obligations and regional diplomacy.
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