“We confirm that we have received a note from the Bangladesh High Commission regarding the extradition request,” a spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs said. We have no comment on this matter at this time. According to local media reports, Tawheed Hussain, Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Interim Government of Bangladesh, made this request through a note to the Indian government. Tawheed Hussain told reporters that we have sent a verbal note to India requesting the return of Sheikh Hasina.
The former Indian diplomat said that Sheikh Hasina has what option?
Former Ambassador Mahesh Sachdev spoke to news agency ANI on the issue of extradition of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He said that Hasina can approach the court against the extradition request of the interim government of Bangladesh. The case relates to the extradition treaty between India and Bangladesh and involves both political and criminal aspects.
Citing the example of India’s rejected requests to extradite terrorists from Europe, Sachdev said Hasina could also claim mistrust and unfair treatment by her country’s government. The extradition request in this case has been sent to India through a ‘note verbale’, which is considered the lowest level of government communication. Hasina has already taken refuge in India and her asylum application is still pending. This matter may affect the political relations of both the countries.
Political considerations do not apply in criminal cases
Former ambassador Mahesh Sachdev said that the extradition treaty between India and Bangladesh has several conditions. These circumstances do not constitute extradition in political matters. But political considerations do not apply in criminal cases. An extradition treaty between India and Bangladesh was initially signed in 2013 and amended in 2016. The agreement was a strategic step to tackle the problem of extremism and terrorism along the shared borders of the two countries. However, the treaty also provides that extradition may be refused if the offense is of a political nature.
Extradition under the 2013 treaty between India and Bangladesh can be a long and complicated affair. Because Hasina will definitely challenge him in court. In such a situation, India needs to balance its legal commitments with geopolitical considerations.
Why Sheikh Hasina had to come to India?
On August 5, a student-led movement ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from power after weeks of protests and clashes that left more than 600 people dead. 76-year-old Hasina fled to India and an interim government was established under the leadership of Nobel laureate Muhammad Younis.
On 9 December, Sheikh Hasina accused Mohammad Yunus, chief adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, of being the “mastermind” of the student protests that led to his ouster. He also alleged that the protest was designed to overthrow his government. Addressing a virtual meeting of the United Kingdom Awami League, Hasina claimed that despite all the demands of the protesters being met, unrest continued across the country, suggesting that it was a deliberate conspiracy.
Extradition of Sheikh Hasina (T) Request for extradition of Sheikh Hasina
