BREAKING NEWS: Bangladesh Formally Asks India to Hand Over Sheikh Hasina After Tribunal Sentences Former PM to Death
New Delhi/Dhaka, November 2025:In a dramatic escalation of political tensions between Dhaka and New Delhi, the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent a formal letter to India seeking the handing over of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been living in self-exile in India since August last year.
The letter, accessed through diplomatic sources, invokes the Indo-Bangladesh extradition agreement and calls it an “obligatory responsibility” of India to ensure Hasina’s return. Dhaka argues that the former PM is a “fugitive accused” following the death sentence handed to her by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD) earlier today.
The tribunal found Hasina and two senior officials guilty of crimes against humanity, including ordering and failing to prevent atrocities during the nationwide student-led uprising of July 2024, which ultimately forced her from power.
What Bangladesh’s Letter to India Says
According to excerpts shared with diplomatic reporters, the Bangladesh foreign ministry’s letter states:
“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 includes references to the bilateral extradition treaty and stresses Dhaka’s expectation that India must hand over Hasina to face the sentence imposed by the tribunal.
The communication also names former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who were also convicted.
What the Tribunal Ruled
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD) found Sheikh Hasina guilty on three major counts:
- Incitement
- Ordering killings of protesters
- Failing to prevent atrocities during the July 2024 student uprising
The tribunal’s decision comes at a sensitive time for Bangladesh, with the country preparing for elections expected in February 2026, the first since Hasina’s ouster.
Hasina and her supporters have repeatedly said she will not receive a fair trial under the present administration, which she has described as “unelected.”
Sheikh Hasina Rejects the Tribunal's Verdict
Responding through a strongly worded written statement, Hasina condemned the sentence and questioned the tribunal’s legitimacy:
“This is a rigged tribunal established and presided over by an unelected government with no democratic mandate.”
She accused the interim administration of attempting to “eliminate the Awami League as a political force.”
Hasina’s statement further said:
“They are biased and politically motivated… In their distasteful call for the death penalty, they reveal the murderous intent of extremist figures within the interim government.”
How Sheikh Hasina Reached India
Sheikh Hasina was removed from power in August 2024 after weeks of massive, nationwide student protests against her government. As violence escalated, the administration fell, and Hasina fled the country shortly afterward.
Her son, Sajeeb Wazed, previously confirmed that:
- Hasina is living in a secure safe house in Delhi
- India is providing her full state-protected security
Hasina herself acknowledged her refuge in an interview:
“I am deeply grateful to the Indian people for providing me a safe haven this past year.”
Despite multiple summons from the Bangladesh court over the past months, Hasina has refused to return, stating that the environment in Bangladesh is unsafe and the judicial process is compromised.
India’s Position: Yet to Respond Officially
New Delhi has not issued an official response yet to Dhaka’s extradition request.
Key considerations expected to shape India’s stance:
- India’s longstanding diplomatic relationship with Hasina during her 15-year rule
- The political volatility in Bangladesh under the current interim government
- Concerns over Hasina’s personal security
- Legal review of whether the charges fall under the extradition treaty’s scope
- International human rights scrutiny over capital punishment for political leaders
India is also aware that handing over a former Prime Minister sentenced to death could trigger geopolitical backlash and raise domestic political sensitivities.
Growing International Uncertainty
Human rights organizations, foreign governments, and South Asian observers are closely watching the developments:
- Concerns over fairness of the tribunal
- Fears of Bangladesh slipping into prolonged political instability
- Possible diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh
- International criticism over using capital punishment in politically charged cases
The United Nations and several Western governments are expected to comment once the full tribunal judgment is published.
Why This Extradition Request Matters
1. Regional Political Stability
Bangladesh is South Asia’s second-largest economy after India. Hasina’s extradition battle could have ripple effects for security cooperation, trade, and border stability.
2. India’s Diplomatic Calculus
India must weigh:
- Treaty obligations
- National interest
- Humanitarian concerns
- Political implications of handing a former PM to a tribunal that issued a death sentence
3. Future of Bangladesh’s Democracy
If Hasina is extradited, it would mark a turning point in Bangladesh’s political direction ahead of the 2026 election.
4. International Law & Human Rights
Capital punishment against a former elected leader might attract significant global pushback.
What Happens Next
- India will likely review the extradition request legally, diplomatically, and politically
- MEA may issue an official statement in coming days
- Bangladesh may intensify pressure through public and diplomatic channels
- Hasina’s legal team in India may seek additional protections or asylum-like status
- Opposition groups in Bangladesh are preparing for large-scale mobilization following the verdict
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
The extradition request for Sheikh Hasina marks one of the most high-stakes diplomatic flashpoints in recent India–Bangladesh relations. As Dhaka pushes for her return and the tribunal’s death sentence sends shockwaves across the region, India now faces a pivotal decision — one that will shape not just bilateral ties but also the political future of Bangladesh.
TheTrendingPeople.com will continue to follow this developing story with verified, real-time updates.