India Says Sheikh Hasina Extradition Request Under Review
New Delhi — India said Tuesday that Bangladesh’s request for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is being examined under established legal procedures, reiterating that New Delhi’s position on the matter has not changed.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a media briefing that the extradition request remains under consideration. He also said investigations are continuing in a separate case involving suspects in the killing of Bangladeshi Islamist leader Sharif Osman Hadi.
“As far as the extradition matter is concerned, as I said before, our position has been very clear on this particular matter: that we are looking into the case as per established processes that we have on our side,” Jaiswal said.
His remarks came a day after Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman met Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi in Dhaka.
According to Bangladeshi media reports, the two discussed several bilateral issues, including Dhaka’s request for Hasina’s extradition and the return of suspects wanted in connection with Hadi’s killing.
“Bangladesh hopes that India will expedite the process of extraditing Sheikh Hasina,” the Bangladeshi prime minister’s press office said following the meeting.
Dhaka has also asked India to return individuals accused in Hadi’s murder.
Hadi was shot in the head on Dec. 12 while traveling in a rickshaw on Paltan Road in Dhaka after assailants opened fire from a moving motorcycle. He was later flown to Singapore for treatment but died from his injuries on Dec. 18.
Earlier this year, the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata said Indian authorities had arrested two Bangladeshi nationals, Faisal Karim Masud, 37, and Alamgir Hossain, 34. Indian media reports identified them as suspects in the Hadi murder case.
The diplomatic mission said it contacted Indian authorities after learning of the arrests and sought consular access to the two men.
Jaiswal said Tuesday that the Hadi case remains a legal matter and that investigations are ongoing.
Separately, Trivedi described his first meeting with Rahman as fruitful and emphasized the close ties between the neighboring countries.
The Indian High Commission said in a post on X that Trivedi conveyed India’s intention to work with Bangladesh’s government and people in a “positive, constructive and forward-looking manner.”
The two sides also exchanged views on issues of mutual interest and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations with a people-centered approach, the mission said. (Source: IANS)
