Will India Hand Over Sheikh Hasina? Death Verdict Puts Extradition Treaty Under Maximum Pressure | India News

A Bangladesh court on Monday sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is in exile in India, to death after finding her guilty of committing “crimes against humanity” during the 2024 student uprising. The decision, made in absentia, was welcomed by the interim government led by Younis but received a measured reaction from the international community.

Decision and Conviction

The death sentence was handed down by the International Crimes Tribunal and marks the culmination of the case against the ousted Awami League chief.

Death penalty: Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death.

Co-Convicts:

Former Minister of Internal Affairs Asadüzzaman Khan Kamal was also given the death penalty.

Former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun was sentenced to five years in prison for cooperating and admitting to the charges.

Judge’s Statement: Judge Golam Mortuza Mozumder said the initial life sentence was increased as other charges were added and that he decided “to give him only one sentence, namely the death penalty.”

Basis of Guilt: Hasina was “found guilty of three crimes” that included inciting violence, ordering to kill, and failing to prevent atrocities.

Specific Crimes Charged

Hasina and two of her assistants were accused of inciting five specific crimes during last August’s uprising:

• He is carrying out mass killings of protesters in Dhaka.
• Helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles opened fire on civilian crowds.
• Murder of student activist Abu Sayed.
• Burning of bodies in Ashulia to destroy evidence.
• Simultaneous killing of demonstrators in Çanharpul.

National and International Reactions

The decision drew harsh reactions from relevant parties and international organizations.

Sheikh Hasina: He denied the accusations and declared that the decision was “fraudulent” and “politically motivated” by a “kangaroo court”.

Yunus GovernmentWelcoming the decision, Chief Advisor Muhammed Yunus said, “No one is above the law, no matter how powerful they are.”

India’s Response: The Ministry of External Affairs noted the decision as follows: “India, as a close neighbour, is committed to serving the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including peace, democracy, participation and stability in this country.”

United Nations: Although the decision was “an important moment for the victims”, the UN Human Rights Office said it “regretted the imposition of the death penalty”, which it opposed in all circumstances.

Refund Request and Next Steps

Hasina remains in exile in India and attention turns to New Delhi’s response to her extradition request.

Bangladesh’s Demand: Dhaka formally called on India to extradite both Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, invoking the existing extradition treaty and labeling any grant of asylum as a “serious hostile act”.

Confiscation of Property: The first action of the International Crimes Court will be to seize Hasina’s properties that will be transferred to the state.

Objection Window: Hasina has 30 days to appeal, but this can only happen if she is arrested or voluntarily returns to Bangladesh.

Leak Status: If Hasina ignores the summons, she could be declared a fugitive, allowing Dhaka to step up its efforts by revoking her passport and possibly issuing a red notice to Interpol.

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