Bangladesh Seeks Extradition of Sheikh Hasina Following Death Sentence

New Delhi: Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has dismissed a death sentence handed down to her by a Dhaka court as "biased and politically motivated." This verdict has prompted the interim government of Bangladesh, led by economist Muhammad Yunus, to intensify its calls for Hasina's extradition from India.

On Monday, the interim government in Dhaka announced that any nation providing sanctuary to Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, the former home minister of Hasina's government, would be viewed as making an "unfriendly gesture" towards Bangladesh.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the interim government declared, "We will request India to immediately hand over the two fugitives to the authorities of Bangladesh, fulfilling obligations under the bilateral extradition treaty."

New Delhi has been measured in its response since the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Bangladesh sentenced Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal in absentia to death for alleged "crimes against humanity" that took place during a police crackdown on student protests in July and August 2024.

The Ministry of External Affairs of India stated, "As a close neighbour, India remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including in peace, democracy, inclusion, and stability in that country." The Ministry acknowledged the verdicts from the ICT but refrained from making any comments regarding the extradition request.

Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson for India's Ministry of External Affairs, emphasised India's intention to engage constructively with all stakeholders, sidestepping any direct remarks about the extradition of Sheikh Hasina and Kamal.

A source within the Indian government indicated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration is unlikely to comply with the interim government's demands, citing concerns that Hasina's life could be at risk if she were returned to Bangladesh.

In a statement issued from an undisclosed location in India, Sheikh Hasina condemned the tribunal's verdict, labelling it a charade orchestrated by an unelected government. She stated, "The verdict announced against me by a rigged tribunal is biased and politically motivated." Hasina accused the interim administration of attempting to destabilise the secular and progressive values of Bangladesh.

The extradition issue may arise during upcoming discussions between Ajit Doval, India's National Security Advisor, and Khalilur Rahman, his counterpart from the interim government of Bangladesh, in New Delhi later this week. Doval has invited Rahman to participate in the Colombo Security Conclave, a regional initiative focused on maritime security, which includes India, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the Maldives.

Rahman’s visit marks the first by a senior official from Bangladesh since Hasina's government collapsed following widespread protests against the crackdown on students and young people. After fleeing Bangladesh under military escort on August 5, 2024, Hasina sought refuge in India.

Although Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Dhaka in December 2024, there have been no high-level visits from Bangladesh to India since that time. Hasina's government fell amid the protests that led to the installation of a neutral interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.

On December 23, 2024, Dhaka formally requested Hasina's extradition to stand trial in Bangladesh. However, India has remained silent on the matter for 11 months while judicial proceedings against Hasina and her associates continued in her absence.

A source in New Delhi clarified that India is not obligated to extradite Hasina and Kamal, citing provisions in the 2013 extradition treaty that permit refusal if the charges are deemed political in nature. With the ongoing political upheaval and the context of the trial, it is likely that India could invoke this clause to deny the extradition request.

During their meeting, Rahman is expected to express Bangladesh's concerns regarding political statements made by Hasina, while Doval may convey India’s apprehensions about the growing ties between Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Sheikh Hasina’s political trajectory has shifted dramatically over the past year. Once a prominent figure in Bangladeshi politics, she is now facing the repercussions of a tumultuous year marked by protests and political instability that culminated in her exile and subsequent sentencing.