Bangladesh Formally Requests India to Extradite Ousted Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

Bangladesh's Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman announced that the government has formally requested India to extradite ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, referring to her as a convicted criminal. Speaking to journalists in Dhaka after inaugurating a training workshop, Asaduzzaman stated that the administration is pursuing the matter through established legal channels and the bilateral extradition treaty.

Hasina fled Bangladesh for India on August 5, 2024, following a mass uprising that brought an end to her 15-year tenure in power. Following her departure, an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took charge of the country. Bangladesh later held parliamentary elections in February, resulting in the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, forming the government.

In November 2025, Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal convicted Hasina in absentia for crimes against humanity related to the July-August 2024 uprising. The tribunal sentenced her to death on one charge and life imprisonment on another. Addressing the legal process for her return, Asaduzzaman emphasized that the government's approach would be guided strictly by the law rather than emotion.

According to the law minister, while the Ministry of Law is not directly involved, the Ministry of Home Affairs is handling the matter due to its connection with the extradition treaty between India and Bangladesh. Asaduzzaman noted that Dhaka has communicated its repatriation requests to New Delhi and will follow due legal process if she is handed over.

India has previously confirmed receipt of the extradition requests from Bangladesh, with the Ministry of External Affairs stating that the matter is being examined through established processes. New Delhi has not yet announced a decision regarding the extradition.

The diplomatic situation surrounding Hasina's status gained further attention following an audio-only virtual press conference organized in New Delhi, during which Hasina stated her intention to return to Bangladesh in December. That interaction prompted a sharp reaction from Dhaka's Foreign Ministry, which expressed outrage that she was permitted to engage with the media. India subsequently distanced itself from the event, clarifying that the gathering was organized by a private media entity without government involvement.

"Cross-border legal requests and bilateral extradition treaties between nations involve complex diplomatic frameworks and established regulatory processes. For businesses and international markets operating in regions experiencing political shifts, regulatory compliance and adherence to legal frameworks remain critical factors in risk management. Governments typically navigate such sensitive bilateral issues through formal diplomatic channels and established legal treaties, balancing foreign policy considerations with sovereign legal obligations." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes