Diplomatic Correspondent :
After the conviction of Sheikh Hasian, who is now in India, Delhi has started examining a request made from the Interim Government of Bangladesh concerning the extradition of former Prime Minister.
Indian spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that they have received the request of Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzman Khan Kamal as both have been sentenced to death for committing crimes against humanity.
Addressing the media, Randhir said, “Yes we have received that request, and the request is being examined. We remain committed to the people of the Bangladesh. We will continue to engage constructively in this regard with all the stakeholders.”
This is the first time India responded the note verbale of Bangladesh before the media. This has happened after the conviction of Sheikh Hasina.
But before the conviction, Interim Government of Bangladesh sent similar request to India to send her back. But India neither responded to Dhaka nor said anything before the Indian media. Now they have opened their mouth saying that they are looking into the request.
Earlier on Wednesday afternoon, Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said that Bangladesh has been waiting for the reply of the request from Delhi regarding the extradition of Sheikh Hasina.
“A note verbale had been sent to India’s Ministry of External Affairs through Bangladesh’s mission. No reply has come. We do not expect a response quickly,” Touhid Hossain said in responding to a question of the journalists.
He also said that the latest letter sent on last Friday stated that Sheikh Hasina has been convicted and should therefore be returned.
Meanwhile, the ICT has published the full judgement detailing the convictions and death sentences of Hasina and Kamal, for committing crimes against humanity during the July uprising.
With the publication of the complete verdict, the 30-day countdown for filing appeals has formally begun.
Under existing legal provisions, the convicts – tried in absentia – must submit appeals within this period should they seek judicial review.
The ICT had handed down the initial sentences on 17 November, finding Hasina and Kamal guilty on multiple counts of incitement, ordering lethal force against protesters, and failing to prevent mass atrocities during the July-August 2024 protests. Former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who testified as a state witness, received a five-year prison sentence.
Apart from it, when Touhid Hossain was asked whether India would be allowed to send observers for upcoming national election, the adviser replied that the matter falls solely under the Election Commission.
He stressed that the ministry would not assist any visiting delegations unless the commission specifically asked for support.
Touhid Hossain also dismissed suggestions that Bangladesh faces foreign pressure to hold an inclusive election. Responding to questions about Western concerns, he said there was none.
He referred to the recent visit of Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland, who discussed inclusive polls during her meetings in Dhaka.
He noted that Professor Muhammad Yunus has already outlined his perspective on how the election should take place, and the rest is up to the Election Commission.
He said Bangladesh believes the polls will be held properly and with broad participation.
He added that observers from the European Union and elsewhere are expected to attend and that the government intends to facilitate the process so observers leave satisfied.
The adviser was equally frank when asked why Bangladesh would not send observers to Myanmar’s upcoming election.
He questioned the purpose of doing so, saying the election would not contribute to any progress for Bangladesh and that the event was entirely Myanmar’s internal affair.
He also differed with German Ambassador Dr Rüdiger Lotz on the possible consequences of Bangladesh not purchasing Airbus.
Earlier in the day, the ambassador, speaking at a DCAB Talk organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association at the National Press Club, had suggested that turning away from the European manufacturer could affect commercial relations with the European Union.
Touhid Hossain said he did not believe a single commercial deal could determine broader ties.
He said ambassadors naturally promote the interests of their national companies and that the German envoy was simply doing his job.
But he added that Bangladesh’s decisions must be based on its own needs and expert opinions, not on diplomatic pressure.
He said he did not feel any pressure to purchase Airbus and that further questions should be directed to the entity responsible for procurement.
