Dhaka urges India to expedite Sheikh Hasina's extradition process

The extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and the repatriation of those involved in the killing of Osman Hadi were discussed in detail during the meeting between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi.

According to a press release from the Prime Minister's Press Wing after the meeting, "Bangladesh hopes that India will expedite the extradition process of Sheikh Hasina." The release also reiterated the request for the repatriation of the murderers involved in Osman Hadi's killing.

The Indian High Commissioner paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister at his office at the Secretariat on Monday around 11am. Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Swadhin said the Prime Minister welcomed the High Commissioner at the start of the meeting. Trivedi briefed the Prime Minister on his first two months of experience in Dhaka.

Various important bilateral issues between the two countries were discussed during the meeting. The Prime Minister emphasised the need to create an appropriate environment to further strengthen bilateral relations. This was Trivedi's first meeting with the Prime Minister. Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir were also present.

It may be mentioned that Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, spokesperson of Inkilab Mancha, was shot during an election campaign in Dhaka on December 12 last year. He was taken to Singapore for advanced treatment and died there on December 18.

Police said the two main accused in the case, Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Hossain, had fled to India. On March 8, the state police's special task force arrested them from the Bangaon area of North 24 Parganas in West Bengal. They were later taken to New Delhi.

During a meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi in April, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman thanked the Indian government for the arrest of the suspects. In that meeting, both sides agreed that the arrested individuals would be sent back to Bangladesh following the procedures of the existing extradition treaty between the two countries. The extradition treaty signed between Bangladesh and India in 2013 and amended in 2016 provides for the return of individuals accused of serious crimes including murder.

However, as of July, India's approval had not been received. According to officials, Bangladesh has completed all necessary legal and diplomatic processes and is awaiting India's decision.

Dinesh Trivedi, a former Indian Railway and Health Minister and a senior politician from West Bengal, was appointed as India's 16th High Commissioner to Bangladesh in April. He succeeded Pranay Kumar Verma. He formally assumed office on June 25 after presenting his credentials to then President Md Sahabuddin.