India Confirms Receiving Bangladesh’s Request for Hasina’s Extradition

ISLAMABAD: India has confirmed receiving an official extradition request from Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, seeking the return of ousted Prime Minister and Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina to Dhaka.

Key details include:

• India’s Confirmation:
  • The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, stated:
    • “We confirm receiving a Note Verbale from the Bangladesh High Commission concerning an extradition request. Currently, we have no comment to offer on this matter.”
  • A Note Verbale is a formal unsigned diplomatic communication written in the third person.
• Bangladesh’s Request:
  • Bangladesh’s de facto Foreign Minister, Touhid Hossain, confirmed the diplomatic note, saying:
    • “We have sent a Note Verbale to the Indian government requesting Hasina’s extradition for the judicial process.”
  • The request follows Hasina’s flight to New Delhi on August 5 after protests toppled her 16-year rule.
• Legal Proceedings Against Hasina:
  • Sheikh Hasina, 77, faces multiple court cases, including charges of crimes against humanity.
  • Arrest warrants issued by the Dhaka-based International Crimes Tribunal are pending, and Bangladesh has sought Interpol’s assistance for her arrest.
• Extradition Mechanism:
  • Bangladesh Home Adviser Jahangir Alam mentioned that the foreign ministry is facilitating the extradition process under the existing treaty between Dhaka and New Delhi, ironically signed during Hasina’s tenure.

The development underscores escalating political and legal challenges surrounding Hasina’s ouster and potential return to face judicial proceedings in Bangladesh.