Sheikh Hasina Given Death Sentence in Absentia; Bangladesh Pushes India for Her Return
Dhaka renews demand for the former PM's extradition after a special tribunal announces its verdict, while India maintains a guarded diplomatic stance.
India Responds Cautiously Amid Extradition Demand
Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia Tuesday by a special tribunal that held her responsible for the harsh suppression of student-led protests in 2024. The court’s verdict accused her of approving extreme force and failing to prevent widespread violence during unrest. After the sentencing, Bangladesh’s caretaker government repeated its demands for India to extradite her under the existing treaty.
However, India had shied away from a clear-cut stand and merely welcomed the development. Officials said that New Delhi would continue to “engage constructively” with Dhaka while the question on whether Hasina would be extradited was not directly answered. As analysts explain, India can invoke certain provisions of the treaty which provide the right to refuse should the charges appear politically motivated, adding a layer of diplomacy to the situation.
Hasina, who currently resides in India, called the verdict a politically driven decision to undermine her party and demoralize her leadership. She said the trial was not conducted in a fair manner and blamed the interim regime for exploiting the judiciary to keep her out of the election process forever. Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, however, supported the judgment, saying the rule of law must be equally applied to all.
Legal observers say that Hasina still has avenues to challenge the sentence: she can appeal to the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, and the nation’s president retains the authority to commute or alter her punishment. The case is expected to heighten political tensions between the two neighbours.
