The Bangladesh government is preparing to seek assistance from Interpol for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal from India.
The Muhammad Yunus-led interim government in Dhaka had urged the Indian government on Monday to extradite Hasina and Kamal, after the two were sentenced to death for their role during the violent students' protest in Bangladesh last year.
The Chief Prosecutor's Office of the Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal, which led the prosecution against Hasina for the alleged atrocities during students' protest, is preparing an application to seek the extradition of the two top leaders, Bangladesh-based The Daily Star reported.
The letter is expected to be sent by the Bangladesh foreign ministry to New Delhi in coming days, the report added.
Sheikh Hasina was on Monday sentenced to death in absentia by the International Crimes Tribunal for "crimes against humanity" over her government's brutal crackdown on the students protests in July 2024. The ICT also awarded death sentence to former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on similar charges. Hasina has been living in India after fleeing Bangladesh on August 5, 2024 following the massive protests.
Following the death sentence to Hasina, the Bangladesh foreign ministry cited an extradition agreement with India and said it was an “obligatory responsibility” for New Delhi to ensure her return to Bangladesh.
{{/usCountry}}Following the death sentence to Hasina, the Bangladesh foreign ministry cited an extradition agreement with India and said it was an “obligatory responsibility” for New Delhi to ensure her return to Bangladesh.
{{/usCountry}}Also Read: Will India have to send Sheikh Hasina on Bangladesh's extradition request? What treaties say
"Providing refuge to these individuals, who have been convicted of crimes against humanity, by any other country would be a highly unfriendly act and a disregard for justice,” the letter read.
What India has said on Bangladesh ICT's order
India has said that it noted the International Crimes Tribunal's verdict regarding Sheikh Hasina and that it remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh.
“As a close neighbour, India remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including in peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in that country. We will always engage constructively with all stakeholders to that end,” a statement of the Ministry of External Affairs said.
Also Read: Grateful to Indian people for providing me with safe haven: Sheikh Hasina
However, India has not commented on the request for Hasina's extradition. An Indian government source cited in a Reuters report said that extradition is a lengthy process requiring review of tribunal documents to ensure due procedure, fair representation, and credible testimony.
India cannot act without these records, and exemptions to the treaty apply if the case appears political, the report said quoting officials.
The Bangladesh interim government had maintained that India's failure to return her would be “a highly unfriendly gesture and an affront to justice”.