A convicted criminal: Bangladesh seeks Sheikh Hasina's extradition from India

Hasina fled to India on August 5, 2024, after a mass uprising ended her 15-year rule. An interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus subsequently took charge.

In Short

• Hasina fled to India after the August 2024 mass uprising
• A tribunal sentenced the former Prime Minister to death in absentia
• Bangladesh's requests remain under examination, says India

Bangladesh has asked India to extradite ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina under the bilateral treaty, Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman said on Sunday, describing her as a “convicted criminal”.

Asaduzzaman said the government was pursuing legal steps to bring Hasina back and would follow due process rather than be guided by emotion. India has previously acknowledged receiving the requests but has not announced a decision.

“To me, she is a criminal. A criminal convicted by our tribunal. To us, this is her identity,” he told journalists after inaugurating a training workshop in Dhaka, according to bdnews24.

DHAKA CITES EXTRADITION TREATY

Asaduzzaman said the Home Affairs Ministry was handling the matter under Bangladesh’s extradition treaty with India.

“The matter will be dealt with in accordance with the law, leaving no room for emotions. We have requested her repatriation under the treaty and through due process,” state-run news agency BSS quoted him as saying.

Asked about India’s response, he said: “That is a matter for the Indian government. We have made requests to them under the extradition treaty.”

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has said the requests are being examined through established processes.

HASINA CONVICTED IN ABSENTIA

Hasina fled to India on August 5, 2024, after a mass uprising ended her 15-year rule. An interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus subsequently took charge.

In November 2025, Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal convicted her in absentia of crimes against humanity committed during the July–August 2024 uprising. She was sentenced to death on one charge and life imprisonment on another.

Parliamentary elections were held in February this year, after which the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by Tarique Rahman, formed the government.

HASINA HAS SPOKEN OF DECEMBER RETURN

During an audio-only virtual press conference organised in New Delhi on August 5, Hasina said she intended to return to Bangladesh in December despite the possibility of imprisonment or death.

Dhaka reacted sharply, with its Foreign Ministry saying it was “outraged” that she had been allowed to address the media.

India distanced itself from the interaction, saying a private media organisation had arranged it and the government had no involvement.

- Ends