Bangladesh Law Minister calls ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina a convicted criminal and seeks her return from India

Bangladesh Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman described ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as a convicted criminal on Sunday and confirmed that Dhaka has asked India to extradite her. Speaking to journalists in Dhaka after opening a training workshop, Mr Asaduzzaman stated that the government is taking all necessary legal steps to bring her back and will follow due process without letting emotion guide them.

Legal Process

While noting that the Law Ministry is not directly involved, Mr Asaduzzaman explained that the Ministry of Home Affairs is handling the issue because it falls under the bilateral extradition treaty with India. India has previously acknowledged receiving these extradition requests but has not yet announced any decision on whether to hand her over, stating that the matter is being examined through established processes.

Background

Ms Hasina fled to India on August 5, 2024, after a mass uprising ended her 15-year rule, paving the way for an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal convicted her in November 2025 in absentia for crimes against humanity during the July-August 2024 uprising, sentencing her to death on one charge and life imprisonment on another. Parliamentary elections were held in February this year, and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party led by Tarique Rahman formed the government. Ms Hasina recently stated during a virtual press conference in New Delhi that she plans to return to Bangladesh in December, which prompted an outraged reaction from Dhaka's Foreign Ministry and led India to distance itself from the event.

Context

Extradition between nations is governed by formal legal treaties and diplomatic channels rather than immediate political decisions. Cases involving high-profile political figures often require extensive legal reviews by the host nation to assess treaty obligations and domestic laws before any final action is taken.