Dhaka Formally Requests New Delhi to Extradite Sheikh Hasina Following Death Sentence

DHAKA, Bangladesh – In a move escalating diplomatic tensions between the two nations, Bangladesh has formally requested India to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, days after she was sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Dhaka. The request, delivered via an official letter to India on Friday, marks the latest development in the ongoing political turmoil in Bangladesh since Hasina's ouster in August 2024.

Sheikh Hasina, 78, along with former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, were sentenced in absentia on November 17, 2025, after being convicted of crimes against humanity related to the government's crackdown on a student-led uprising last year. The United Nations reported that the violent suppression of protests led to over 1,400 deaths. Hasina, who served as Prime Minister for 15 years, has been in exile in India since the mass protests that led to her removal from power.

The extradition request was confirmed on Sunday by Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, who told reporters that the letter had been sent to India. This is not the first time Bangladesh has sought Hasina's return; a similar request was made last December, which India has yet to respond to. According to the Bengali newspaper Prothom Alo, this is the third official extradition request since Hasina fled the country.

Following the tribunal's verdict, the Foreign Ministry in Dhaka stated that India has an "obligatory responsibility" under the existing bilateral extradition treaty to facilitate Hasina's return. However, India's Ministry of External Affairs has only acknowledged the verdict, without commenting directly on the extradition request.

The relationship between Bangladesh and India has become strained since Hasina's overthrow. While India and Bangladesh share close ties, including trade, cultural links, and membership in organizations like SAARC and BIMSTEC, the current political climate has introduced friction. Some analysts suggest that anti-India sentiment is intertwined with opposition to Hasina.

Bangladesh and India signed a mutual extradition treaty in 2013, which allows for the extradition of individuals charged with extraditable offenses. However, the treaty also includes provisions for refusal, particularly in cases where the alleged offense is considered political in nature. This could be a key factor in India's decision, as Hasina's defense has maintained that the charges against her are politically motivated. Moreover, India can also refuse extradition if the request isn't made in good faith or justice isn't served.

Several legal experts have weighed in on the complexities of the extradition treaty, noting that while the treaty establishes a framework for cooperation, it does not guarantee compliance in all cases. The treaty stipulates that the alleged offense must be punishable under the laws of both countries, and that the individual must have been charged, accused, or convicted of an extraditable offense. Some experts claim that because Hasina can challenge the ICT's verdict, a request for her extradition may not be made until she has exhausted all legal remedies under Bangladeshi law.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh is also considering approaching the International Criminal Court (ICC) to seek Hasina's return. Law adviser Asif Nazrul said the interim government is also considering approaching the International Criminal Court to bring Hasina back.

Bangladesh is preparing for its first elections since the protests, scheduled for February 2026. Hasina's party, the Awami League, remains barred from political activity. The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has vowed to hold fair elections and address the country's challenges, including corruption and economic instability.