A special tribunal has sentenced Hasina to death in absentia, finding her guilty of “crimes against humanity” during last year’s student uprising. India continues to provide safe refuge to Hasina, who has lived in a secure location in Delhi since her ouster in 2024.
BY PC Bureau
November 17, 205: Bangladesh’s foreign ministry on Monday formally requested India to hand over former Prime Minister and “fugitive accused” Sheikh Hasina, hours after a special tribunal sentenced the Awami League chief to death in absentia for “crimes against humanity” committed during last year’s student-led uprising.
In a statement, the ministry cited the bilateral extradition agreement and said it was India’s “obligatory responsibility” to ensure Hasina’s return. “Providing refuge to individuals convicted of crimes against humanity would be a highly unfriendly act and a disregard for justice,” the letter stated.
The appeal followed the International Crimes Tribunal–Bangladesh (ICT-BD) verdict that found Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and ex–Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun guilty on multiple counts linked to the crackdown on student protesters in July 2024. The tribunal concluded that the trio’s actions constituted crimes against humanity.
Sheikh Hasina was forced from office in August last year after massive student protests toppled her government. Since then, she has been living in self-exile in India. Her son, Sajeeb Wazed, previously said she was staying in a secure, undisclosed location in Delhi under Indian protection.
#BREAKING: Bangladesh Interim Government asks Indian Govt to hand over Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Dhaka as part of extradition treaty between India & Bangladesh. Hasina was earlier today given death sentence by ICT Tribunal Dhaka. Hasina has sought refuge in India. pic.twitter.com/I1EueJxpBI
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) November 17, 2025
READ: Tribunal Sentences Sheikh Hasina to Death for Crimes Against “Humanity”
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Hasina denounces “rigged” verdict
Responding to Monday’s ruling, Hasina issued a strongly worded statement rejecting the charges and calling the tribunal “rigged” and “politically motivated”. She accused the unelected interim government of using the case to eliminate her and dismantle the Awami League.
“They are biased and politically motivated. In their distasteful call for the death penalty, they reveal the brazen and murderous intent of extremist figures within the interim government to remove Bangladesh’s last elected prime minister,” she said.
The 78-year-old former leader was convicted on three counts—incitement, ordering killings, and failing to prevent atrocities during the July 2024 crackdown.
The tribunal’s decision comes just months before Bangladesh is expected to hold its first national election since Hasina’s ouster, scheduled for February 2026.
