Legal process complete, India must now decide on Hasina's extradition, says Bangladesh

Bangladesh has completed all legal procedures required to secure the extradition of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina from India, and the next decision rests with New Delhi, Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman said on Saturday, according to local media reports.

"We have completed everything required from our side as part of the legal process. What they (India) will do is up to them," Asaduzzaman told reporters after attending an event at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka, according to *Prothom Alo*.

The minister said Hasina's return would take place through legal channels and that extradition under the existing bilateral treaty would itself constitute due process.

Asked whether the former prime minister would be given a legal opportunity to return, Asaduzzaman reiterated that her return would be governed by the established legal framework.

However, when questioned about whether Hasina could appeal against her death sentence, he said she would not have that opportunity under the relevant law, *Dhaka Tribune* reported.

On whether India had discussed the possibility of sending Hasina to a third country, the minister said only the Indian government could answer that question.

**𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲𝘀**

Bangladesh has been seeking Hasina's extradition since she fled to India in August 2024 following a student-led uprising that brought down her government.

In November 2025, Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal convicted Hasina of crimes against humanity over her alleged role in the crackdown on protesters during the July-August 2024 uprising.

Tried in absentia, she was sentenced to death on one charge and life imprisonment on another. Hasina has rejected the charges and challenged the legitimacy of the proceedings.

Dhaka's demand for her extradition has continued even after the interim administration that succeeded her government handed over power in February to an elected government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

India has acknowledged receiving Bangladesh's extradition requests but has not announced a decision on handing over the former prime minister.

On Friday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in New Delhi that Hasina's extradition was a legal matter and would be handled accordingly.

"India desires a positive, constructive and forward-looking relationship with Bangladesh," Jaiswal said.

**𝗛𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗮'𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀**

Hasina, 79, has said she intends to return to Bangladesh in December.

She made the announcement during an audio-only virtual press conference with journalists organised in New Delhi on August 5.

The event triggered a sharp diplomatic reaction from Dhaka, with Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry expressing outrage that Hasina had been allowed to interact with the media in India despite its concerns being conveyed to New Delhi beforehand.

India subsequently distanced itself from the event, stating that it had been organised by a private media entity and that the government had "no involvement whatsoever" in it.

The episode added to tensions between the neighbouring countries, already strained by disagreements over Hasina's extradition and related political developments.

**𝗥𝗮𝗵𝗺𝗮𝗻'𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁**

Dhaka has also linked progress on Hasina's extradition to the possibility of a visit to India by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Bangladesh has maintained that New Delhi would need to expedite Hasina's handover and return other fugitives sought by Dhaka to create a conducive environment for the proposed visit.

Meanwhile, the India-Bangladesh consular dialogue, scheduled for next week, has been postponed.

Earlier this week, International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam claimed that Hasina had exhausted her legal options and would have to face her death sentence.

He also rejected the possibility of issuing her a passport or travel document.

His remarks came a day after Hasina, through a London-based legal chamber, approached the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi seeking a new passport and national identity card.

Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed subsequently said the government was examining the authenticity and legal grounds of the applications submitted by Hasina.

However, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir reiterated that Dhaka would pursue her return from India only through the existing extradition treaty.

With Bangladesh claiming to have completed its legal formalities, the issue now remains dependent on India's response to the extradition request.