Delhi to review request to return Hasina: Randhir Jaiswal

India is reviewing Bangladesh’s request to extradite Sheikh Hasina, who was sentenced to death for crimes against humanity. The information was confirmed by Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs. On Wednesday, November 26, Jaiswal said the matter is being examined as part of India’s ongoing internal judicial and legal processes.

Earlier, the interim government sent a fresh letter to India seeking the return of the ousted prime minister, who was sentenced to death for crimes against humanity. The letter, sent on Friday, November 21, was confirmed to the media on Sunday by Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Towhid Hossain.

Delhi has acknowledged receiving the letter Bangladesh sent requesting Hasina’s return. Responding to journalists’ questions, Randhir Jaiswal said, yes, we have received the request and it is under review.

Without clarifying whether India would respond, he said India remains committed to the best interests of peace, democracy, inclusion and stability of the people of the country, including Bangladesh, as part of its ongoing judicial and internal legal processes. He added that India would continue constructive engagement with all stakeholders.

Following the July coup, the International Crimes Tribunal delivered its verdict last Monday in the cases related to crimes against humanity. Sheikh Hasina and her government’s former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal were sentenced to death. Former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who testified for the prosecution, was sentenced to five years in the same case.

On the day of the verdict, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement formally demanding the Indian government extradite the duo. Later, Legal Adviser Asif Nazrul told reporters at the Secretariat that another letter would be sent to India. The latest letter was part of that process.