Dhaka: Bangladesh has pressed India again for the return of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, with Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman branding her a “convicted criminal” and confirming that Dhaka has formally sought her extradition under the bilateral treaty.
Speaking to reporters in Dhaka after opening a training workshop for subordinate-court judges, Asaduzzaman said the government was pursuing every lawful avenue to secure Hasina’s return from India. He stressed that the process would be governed strictly by law rather than sentiment.
“To me, she is a criminal. She is a convict, sentenced by our tribunal. That is her identity to us. Legal procedures are underway to bring her back,” the minister said, according to the United News of Bangladesh.
Although the Law Ministry itself is not the lead agency in the matter, Asaduzzaman said the Home Affairs Ministry is handling it because the case falls under the extradition arrangement with India.
“Although the Law Ministry is not directly involved in this matter, the Ministry of Home Affairs is concerned, as it relates to the extradition treaty with India. The matter will be dealt with in accordance with the law, leaving no room for emotions. We have requested her repatriation under the treaty and through due process,” he was quoted as saying by the state-run BSS news agency.
Decision Rests With India
Bdnews24 also quoted the law minister as saying: “That is a matter for the Indian government. We have made requests to them under the extradition treaty,” he said. “If they hand her over to us, we will hand her over in the due process, as required under the law.”
India has previously said it received Bangladesh’s extradition requests concerning Hasina and that it is reviewing them through established procedures. However, New Delhi has not disclosed whether it will comply, and reporting has noted that it has so far declined to extradite her, as rep[orted by The New Indian Express.
Hasina fled Bangladesh for India on August 5, 2024, after mass protests brought her 15-year tenure to an end. An interim administration headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus subsequently assumed office.
Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal convicted Hasina in absentia in November 2025 for crimes against humanity linked to the 2024 uprising. She was sentenced to death on one count and life imprisonment on another.
Bangladesh held parliamentary elections in February this year. The BNP, led by Tarique Rahman, then formed the government.
At a virtual press conference in New Delhi on August 5, Hasina said she planned to return to Bangladesh in December, even if it meant imprisonment or death. Dhaka criticised India for allowing her to speak, while New Delhi said the event was organised by a private media outlet and it had no role in it.