‘Hasina extradition a legal matter’

India has termed Bangladesh’s request for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina a legal matter, saying it will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

The remarks were made by Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), during the ministry’s weekly media briefing in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Responding to questions on Bangladesh’s extradition request, Jaiswal said extradition proceedings are governed by legal processes and that the matter would be handled accordingly.

His comments came days after Sheikh Hasina, in an interview with Reuters, said she intended to return to Bangladesh by December. She said she and other leaders of the Awami League were planning to return to the country later this year.

Sheikh Hasina has been in India since leaving Bangladesh in August 2024 following the student-led mass uprising that led to the fall of her government.
Bangladesh has formally requested her extradition to face trial in a number of cases, including charges of crimes against humanity and murder.

Responding to another question regarding media reports that some Indian development projects in Bangladesh could be suspended because of a lack of progress, Jaiswal said India’s development cooperation with Bangladesh continues to be implemented through mutual consultation between the two governments.

He noted that the projects had been initiated during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure and continue to be managed under the established bilateral framework.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has sentenced Sheikh Hasina to death in a case involving crimes against humanity and murder. Following the verdict, Dhaka formally submitted an extradition request to New Delhi, seeking her return to stand trial in other pending cases.

India has not indicated any timeline for responding to Bangladesh’s request, maintaining that the matter will be addressed through the applicable legal process.