Hasina Extradition: Dhaka Calls Her Convicted Criminal, Presses India

Bangladesh’s Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman on Sunday, 8 November called former prime minister Sheikh Hasina a “convicted criminal” and said Dhaka has asked India to extradite her, PTI reported citing bdnews24 and BSS. He was speaking to journalists in Dhaka after inaugurating a training workshop. India has acknowledged receiving Bangladesh’s requests but has announced no decision.

Where the Request Stands

The minister said the request falls under the extradition treaty between the two countries and that the matter is handled by the Home Ministry, not the Law Ministry. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has said earlier that the requests are being examined under established processes. The reports do not give dates for the requests.

Conviction in Absentia

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal convicted Hasina in November 2025 of crimes against humanity linked to the July–August 2024 uprising. She was tried in her absence and sentenced to death on one charge and life imprisonment on another. She has been in India since 5 August 2024, when she fled after a mass uprising ended her 15-year rule.

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Friction Over Her Delhi Press Event

Bangladesh held parliamentary elections in February 2026, and a BNP government led by Tarique Rahman is now in office. On 5 August this year, Hasina addressed an audio-only virtual press conference in New Delhi and said she intended to return in December. Dhaka’s Foreign Ministry said it was “outraged” that she was allowed to speak to the media. India said a private media entity organised the event and the government had no involvement.

No timeline for India’s reply has been given. Whether New Delhi would act on the request under the treaty, and on what grounds, remains unstated by either government.

Source: Based on reporting by DT Next (PTI), Siasat and The Federal.

Image: Wikimedia Commons.