Bangladesh, Nov 24 : Bangladesh has formally renewed its request to India for the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, days after she was sentenced to death by the Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). A fresh diplomatic note has been sent to New Delhi, according to a report by the Dhaka Tribune.
The communication was dispatched shortly after Khalilur Rahman, High Representative for the Rohingya Issue, returned from engagements in New Delhi. Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain confirmed on Sunday that Bangladesh had contacted India again regarding Hasina’s return but declined to disclose details of the note.
A diplomatic source in New Delhi told United News of Bangladesh (UNB), via ANI, that the note verbale was sent soon after the 7th National Security Advisers’ meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave, which Rahman attended on Thursday.
Verdict Triggers Renewed Pressure
The renewed Sheikh Hasina extradition request follows last week’s ICT ruling, which handed down death sentences to Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal for alleged crimes against humanity during the July–August unrest of last year. Former police chief and state witness Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun was sentenced to five years in prison.
Following the verdict, Bangladesh urged India to hand over the convicted individuals “without delay”, the Dhaka Tribune reported. Hossain noted that Dhaka would formally brief India again, saying the situation had changed significantly after the trial concluded.
Dhaka Cites Extradition Treaty Obligations
Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that India is bound by the countries’ extradition treaty to respond to the request.
“This is also an obligation for India under the existing extradition treaty between the two countries,” the ministry said, adding that offering shelter to individuals convicted of crimes against humanity would be “a grave act of unfriendly conduct and a travesty of justice”.
India Responds, Says It Remains Engaged
India acknowledged the tribunal’s decision and said it remains committed to constructive engagement with Dhaka.
“As a close neighbour, India remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including in peace, democracy, inclusion and stability,” the Ministry of External Affairs noted, adding that New Delhi would work with all stakeholders.
Experts Urge Respect for Judicial Process
At an event in Dhaka, security analyst ANM Muniruzzaman, president of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies, said India should honour Bangladesh’s judicial decisions. He argued that Hasina’s trial met “international standards and legal systems” and that the bilateral extradition treaty covers such cases.
He added that under accepted international legal norms, countries are obligated to return convicted individuals upon formal request, and India should therefore cooperate with Dhaka.