Bangladesh has officially asked for the extradition of Sheikh Hasina, the former prime minister, who has been in India since August 2024. The request was sent on December 23, 2024, through the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, in the form of a diplomatic message called a note verbale. Although the Indian Ministry of External Affairs acknowledged receiving this request, it has chosen not to comment further.
Reluctance characterizes India’s response to the extradition request. Given the political character of the accusations against Hasina and the procedural flaws in Bangladesh’s request, reports suggest that India is unlikely to cooperate. Experts point out that the 2013 extradition treaty between Bangladesh and India permits petitions to be denied for political reasons or if the charges are not brought in good faith. In particular, a “political offence exception,” found in Article 6 of the treaty, may be used in this situation.
Reluctance characterizes India’s response to the extradition request. Given the political character of the accusations against Hasina and the procedural flaws in Bangladesh’s request, reports suggest that India is unlikely to cooperate. Experts point out that the 2013 extradition treaty between Bangladesh and India permits petitions to be denied for political reasons or if the charges are not brought in good faith. In particular, a “political offence exception,” found in Article 6 of the treaty, may be used in this situation.
India Verifies It Has Received Bangladesh’s Request for Sheikh Hasina’s Extradition
Bangladesh has officially asked for the extradition of Sheikh Hasina, the former prime minister, who has been in India since August 2024. The request was sent on December 23, 2024, through the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, in the form of a diplomatic message called a note verbale. Although the Indian Ministry of External Affairs acknowledged receiving this request, it has chosen not to comment further.
Reluctance characterizes India’s response to the extradition request. Given the political character of the accusations against Hasina and the procedural flaws in Bangladesh’s request, reports suggest that India is unlikely to cooperate. Experts point out that the 2013 extradition treaty between Bangladesh and India permits petitions to be denied for political reasons or if the charges are not brought in good faith. In particular, a “political offence exception,” found in Article 6 of the treaty, may be used in this situation.
After a long term as prime minister, Sheikh Hasina was ousted due to widespread protests, and she fled to India. In Bangladesh, she is accused of murder and crimes against humanity, among other heinous offenses. This extradition request may have been motivated by pressure on Bangladesh’s current interim administration, which is headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, to handle local political issues.
Because of the legal and political issues involved, India’s response to Bangladesh’s formal request for Sheikh Hasina’s extradition seems cautious and noncommittal.
