Former Indian diplomat Veena Sikri has expressed reservations about the authenticity of a second arrest warrant issued against former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Sikri, who was India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh from 2003 to 2006, emphasised that the issue of such warrants, especially in light of continuing political turbulence in Bangladesh, should be scrutinised.
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Bangladesh has issued two arrest warrants for Hasina, who has been in exile in India since August 2024, following her ouster amid widespread demonstrations against her administration. The interim administration, led by Muhammad Yunus, has accused Hasina of a variety of crimes, including human rights breaches and corruption in connection with the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.
Sikri added that the procedure of issuing extradition and arrest orders should be transparent and based on real evidence. She emphasised that the initial arrest warrant lacked significant judicial support, and the same problems apply to the new one. She stated that no proof has been presented to foreign authorities such as the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) about the claims against Hasina.
The issue has been compounded by a recent diplomatic communication from Bangladesh to India demanding Hasina’s extradition under a prisoner exchange deal. However, Sikri and other former ambassadors have stated that a note verbale is inadequate to initiate extradition proceedings, and that such petitions must adhere to established legal standards.
Sikri’s remarks mirror larger worries about the political intentions behind these legal measures, implying that they might be part of a “political witch hunt” against Hasina and her party, the Awami League.
