Dhaka/New Delhi | November 17, 2025
Bangladesh on Monday formally asked the Indian government to hand over former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, hours after a special war-crimes court sentenced both leaders to death for crimes against humanity linked to the 2024 student uprising.
The International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) ruled that Hasina and Kamal were guilty of genocide and large-scale human rights violations during the July–August 2024 protests that swept across Bangladesh, ultimately forcing Hasina from power after nearly 15 uninterrupted years in office.
Hasina, 78, fled Bangladesh shortly after the uprising and has been living in India since. Dhaka said New Delhi is obliged to extradite her under the two nations’ extradition treaty, though Indian officials have not commented publicly.
Hasina Rejects Verdict, Calls Tribunal “Rigged”
In a statement issued from hiding in India, Sheikh Hasina condemned the verdict, calling it “biased and politically motivated.”
“The verdicts announced against me have been made by a rigged tribunal established and presided over by an unelected government with no democratic mandate,”
she said, adding that the proceedings were driven by political vendetta.
Hasina has repeatedly refused to comply with court summons, insisting she would not receive a fair trial under the current interim government.
Background: From Longtime Leader to Fugitive
Sheikh Hasina, one of South Asia’s longest-serving leaders, resigned in August 2024 after months of intense student-led unrest triggered by frustration over unemployment, authoritarian governance, and alleged corruption. Human rights groups blamed her administration for a brutal security crackdown that left hundreds dead.
Critics long accused her government of jailing political opponents, shutting down dissent, muzzling media through restrictive laws, and enabling enforced disappearances. The 2024 uprising became the culmination of years of growing anger against her rule.
Following her ouster, an interim government backed by the military initiated several high-profile trials into alleged abuses committed during her final years in office.
Dhaka’s Diplomatic Push
After Monday’s verdict, senior Bangladeshi officials reiterated that India must return both fugitives.
“We expect India to uphold its treaty obligations,” an official said, calling extradition essential for “delivering justice to victims of last year’s atrocities.”
India now faces a delicate diplomatic challenge: balancing treaty commitments with political sensitivities, stability in Bangladesh, and its long-standing relationship with Hasina, who was considered one of New Delhi’s closest regional allies.
What Comes Next
Legal experts say the extradition request could spark weeks of tense consultations between New Delhi and Dhaka. With the Hasina case now acquiring global attention, international human rights organisations are expected to scrutinise both the tribunal’s fairness and India’s response.
For Bangladesh, the verdict marks one of the most consequential developments in its post-uprising political transition—potentially shaping its democratic future, regional alliances, and internal stability.
