India Reviewing Bangladesh's Request to Extradite Sheikh Hasina

 

India Reviewing Bangladesh's Request to Extradite Sheikh Hasina

Indian authorities are examining Bangladesh's request to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been living in India since being removed from office during the student-led mass uprising in August 2024.

According to a report by the Times of India, the Indian government informed the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs that the extradition request is currently under review by the relevant authorities.

The committee's report, presented to the Lok Sabha on Thursday, outlined the government's response to recommendations contained in its ninth report on the future of India-Bangladesh relations. The committee is chaired by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.

The report noted that the committee had sought an update after Bangladesh formally requested Sheikh Hasina's extradition following her conviction and death sentence in absentia.

Sheikh Hasina fled to India after being ousted from power during the nationwide student-led uprising in August 2024 and has remained there since.

Relations between New Delhi and Dhaka became strained after the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus assumed office and formally requested her extradition.

Following the parliamentary elections earlier this year, the government led by Tarique Rahman renewed the request, urging India to hand over the former prime minister.

While staying in India, Sheikh Hasina has reportedly held virtual meetings with leaders of her political party, and statements have been issued in her name. She has also given interviews to several media outlets. However, the Indian government has maintained that she has not been permitted to engage in political activities from Indian territory.

According to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, Sheikh Hasina has been allowed to remain in India on humanitarian grounds, reflecting the country's long-standing tradition of offering refuge to individuals facing severe crises or threats to their lives.

The committee also stated that the Indian government has made it clear that Sheikh Hasina has not been allowed to use Indian soil or any political platform in the country to conduct political activities.

Reaffirming India's long-standing policy, the committee emphasized that Indian territory should not be used for political activities directed against another country. It recommended that the government continue to handle such cases with sensitivity while adhering to humanitarian principles and India's international obligations.