India examining Bangladesh’s request for Hasina’s extradition: MEA

The Indian government on Wednesday acknowledged that it has received a fresh request from Bangladesh for the extradition of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who was handed a death sentence by the International Crimes Tribunal, reports The Statesman.

Hasina has been residing in India since August 2024, when she fled Dhaka during the student-led July Uprising that toppled her government.

“Yes, we have received a request. The request is being examined as part of ongoing judicial and internal legal processes,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a media briefing.

“We remain committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in that country and will continue to engage constructively in this regard with all stakeholders,” he added.

Also Read: Dhaka expects answer from Delhi on Hasina’s extradition: FA

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Wednesday said Bangladesh expects an answer from India on its latest request seeking the extradition of Sheikh Hasina.

“I do not expect that they will answer within a week of Dhaka’s request, but we expect we will get an answer,” he said while speaking to reporters at the foreign ministry this afternoon.

The adviser said Dhaka formally wrote to New Delhi through the Bangladesh High Commission following the recent verdict of the International Crimes Tribunal-1, reports BSS.

The latest note verbale, an official diplomatic communication, was sent to India’s Ministry of External Affairs through the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.

On 17 November, the ICT-1 sentenced Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death for crimes against humanity committed during the July-August mass uprising last year. Former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who testified as a state witness, was sentenced to five years in prison.

Responding to a question on Wednesday, Touhid reiterated that Bangladesh had earlier asked India for Hasina’s return but received no reply. “Now the situation is different … the judicial process has been completed and they have been convicted.”

The adviser confirmed that Bangladesh’s request has been placed under the existing extradition treaty between the two neighbouring countries.