NEW DELHI — India on Wednesday confirmed that it has received a formal request from Dhaka seeking the extradition of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and said the matter is under examination through judicial and internal legal processes.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi remains focused on the broader well-being of Bangladesh, including peace, democracy, stability, and inclusion.
“Yes, we have received the request and this request is being examined as part of ongoing judicial and internal legal processes,” Jaiswal told reporters during the weekly 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.”
Bangladesh made the extradition request following a ruling by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). According to United News of Bangladesh, Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain disclosed the diplomatic communication on Sunday but did not offer further details.
On November 17, the ICT sentenced Hasina to death after finding her guilty of crimes against humanity in connection with demonstrations that took place in July 2024. India subsequently stated that it had noted the verdict and reiterated its commitment to supporting peace and democratic stability in Bangladesh.
“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. We will always engage constructively with all stakeholders to that end,” the MEA said in a statement issued November 17.
The tribunal also convicted two of Hasina’s senior aides. Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal was sentenced to death, while former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who testified as a state witness, received a five-year prison term.
Hasina has rejected the tribunal’s findings, calling the process a “rigged” effort overseen by what she described as an unelected interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus. She alleged that the ruling was politically motivated and intended to eliminate the Awami League as a political force.
“In their distasteful call for the death penalty, they reveal the brazen and murderous intent of extremist figures within the interim government to remove Bangladesh’s last elected Prime Minister, and to nullify the Awami League as a political force,” Hasina said in a statement. “Millions of Bangladeshis toiling under the chaotic, violent and socially-regressive administration of Dr Mohammad Yunus will not be fooled by this attempt to short-change them of their democratic rights.”
She added that the trials conducted by the ICT “were never intended to achieve justice or provide any genuine insight into the events of July and August 2025,” but rather aimed to scapegoat her party while diverting attention from the interim government’s shortcomings. (Source: IANS)
