India Responds to Sheikh Hasina Verdict as Bangladesh Renews Extradition Demand

India has officially noted the verdict delivered by the International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been sentenced in a high-profile case linked to last year's student-led protests and political upheaval. In a brief but measured statement, New Delhi reiterated its long-standing stance that India remains committed to the peace, democracy, inclusion and stability of Bangladesh.

"India remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh," the statement said, adding that New Delhi will continue to engage constructively with all stakeholders in the country.

Bangladesh Demands Immediate Return of Sheikh Hasina

Soon after the tribunal's verdict, the Bangladesh government renewed its demand that India must immediately return Sheikh Hasina, arguing that New Delhi is bound to do so under the existing bilateral extradition treaty.

"We call upon the Government of India to immediately hand over these two convicted individuals... this is a mandatory duty for India," read the statement issued in Dhaka.

Bangladesh's Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul expressed deep satisfaction over the tribunal's ruling and announced that a formal communication would again be sent to India seeking Hasina's extradition.

"If India continues to shelter this mass murderer, then India must understand this is an act of hostility against Bangladesh," he said. Nazrul added that the government would continue the trial process "at full speed" and described the verdict as a "historic victory for justice."

How the Extradition Battle Began

The demand for Hasina's return is not new.

In December 2024, Bangladesh first submitted a formal extradition request to India after Hasina fled to New Delhi following the massive student uprising that ended her 15-year rule.

In July 2024, Bangladesh's interim administration initiated official efforts to pursue her extradition.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Towhid Hossain confirmed that Delhi had been sent a formal communication and that Dhaka was prepared to follow up if needed.

Current interim government chief and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has repeatedly asserted that Hasina must return to face charges linked to violence against protesters and political opponents during her tenure.

"We now urge the Republic of India to act with conscience and moral clarity. For too long, India has refused to comply," Yunus's press secretary Shafiqul Alam said earlier.

Yunus also informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok that India should ask Hasina to stop criticising the interim government from abroad.

What the India-Bangladesh Extradition Treaty Actually Says

India and Bangladesh signed their extradition treaty in 2013, when Sheikh Hasina herself was in power. While Bangladesh argues that the treaty obligates India to hand her over, the legal text includes several conditions and exceptions.

What Does the Extradition Treaty Say?

India and Bangladesh signed an extradition treaty in January 2013, during Sheikh Hasina's tenure as Prime Minister. The treaty contains clear provisions on when an extradition request can be turned down-particularly if the verdict appears to be politically motivated, a phrase Hasina has repeatedly used while dismissing the allegations against her.

Under Article 6 (The Political Offence Exception), extradition may be denied if the alleged offence is considered "of a political character."

However, the treaty also outlines a set of offences that cannot be treated as political in nature. These include murder, manslaughter or culpable homicide, and incitement to murder.

Provisions for Refusal Under the Treaty

The treaty allows refusal of extradition under several conditions:

Political Nature: Extradition may be rejected if the offence is deemed "political."

Excluded Crimes: Serious crimes such as murder, enforced disappearance, and torture cannot be classified as political offences.

Lack of Good Faith: Requests may be denied if the accusation is not made in good faith or is not genuinely in the interest of justice.

Military Offences: Extradition can also be refused if the offence is purely military in nature and does not fall under general criminal law.

Article 8 elaborates on these grounds, including cases where accusations appear motivated, unjust, or outside the realm of civilian criminal jurisprudence.