India has confirmed receiving a formal extradition request from the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, calling for the return of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
According to Randhir Jaiswal, official spokesperson, Ministry of External affairs (MEA), “India has received a note verbale from the Bangladesh High Commission in connection with an extradition request.”
Adding, “No further comments will be made at this stage.”
Also Read:Bangladesh issues verbale to India, requests extradition of Sheikh Hasina for judicial proceedings
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Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India in early August amid widespread protests that led to the downfall of her government, has been living in New Delhi ever since. Bangladesh’s interim government, which came to power in August, has been pursuing legal actions against Hasina. The Bangladesh-based International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants against her and several former officials on charges of crimes against humanity, genocide, and murder, alleged to have occurred during her tenure as prime minister.
The diplomatic note sent to India by Bangladesh’s interim government outlines their request for Hasina’s return to face trial. Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser, Touhid Hossain, confirmed the submission of the note verbale on Monday. He refrained from providing further details about the judicial process but emphasized that the request was part of the ongoing efforts by the interim government to seek justice for the victims of violence during Hasina’s regime.
The request aligns with Bangladesh’s claims of an existing extradition treaty between the two countries, which they argue facilitates Hasina’s return for legal proceedings. Earlier, Home Advisor Jahangir Alam had indicated that a letter had been sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in India to facilitate the extradition process. The development follows a series of public statements from the interim government, including remarks by Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh’s interim administration, who has called for Hasina’s return in the interest of justice and accountability.
Bilateral relations
Tensions between India and Bangladesh have increased since Hasina’s departure. She has been critical of the current government in Dhaka, accusing them of rights abuses, particularly against minority communities. In contrast, the interim government has repeatedly accused Hasina of orchestrating violence and being responsible for the deaths of hundreds of protestors.
Extradition request
The extradition request also comes on the heels of diplomatic exchanges aimed at mending relations between the two countries. India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Bangladesh earlier this month, signalling New Delhi’s desire to build constructive relations despite the ongoing disputes.
While India has refrained from commenting on the extradition request, it has maintained that Hasina’s stay in the country was for “safety reasons.” The evolving situation will likely have significant implications for both countries’ diplomatic ties in the near future.