On November 17, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) court sentenced former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina to death. He is taking refuge in India since 2024. Bangladesh has been continuously pressurizing India to return Sheikh Hasina. Experts believe that India will not want to return Hasina, even if there is enmity with Mohammad Yunus. For this, India can cite the extradition treaty. In ABP Explainer, let us understand what this treaty is, why India will not return Sheikh Hasina at any cost and what will be its consequences…

Question 1- What is the treaty signed between India and Bangladesh in 2013?
answer- An extradition treaty was signed between India and Bangladesh on 28 January 2013. Then it was amended in 2016, which is fully applicable even today. According to this-

1. Both countries will hand over criminals to each other.
2. There will be extradition in serious crimes like terrorism, murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking, money laundering and corruption.
3. If someone commits a political crime there will be no extradition.
4. If the criminal can be sentenced to death in his country, then before handing over, a written guarantee will have to be taken that he will not be hanged.
5. Extradition may be refused in cases made out of false or political vendetta.

After renewal in 2013, the process was a bit slow because a lot of evidence had to be provided to ask for extradition. For this reason, the process was made much easier and faster by amending the treaty in 2016. This means that now there is no need to provide complete evidence to ask for extradition. Just showing the arrest warrant of a competent court against that person is enough.

Under this treaty, ULFA leader Anup Chetia was handed over by Bangladesh to India after 17 years in 2016. At the same time, in 2020, India handed over two culprits involved in the murder of Sheikh Hasina’s father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Bangladesh in 2020.

On July 9, 2025, the Yunus government demanded India to send back Sheikh Hasina but India did not give any official reply. Now after Sheikh Hasina gets death sentence, Bangladesh will again press for her extradition.

Question 2- What is there in this treaty, due to which India can deny the return of Sheikh Hasina?

answer- Extradition has not been made mandatory in this treaty. The treaty clearly allows for a number of exceptions under which India can refuse to extradite Sheikh Hasina…

1. Article 6- Grounds of political crime

• The treaty says extradition can be refused if the crime was committed ‘for political reasons’. India may consider the ICT trial as ‘political revenge’ in Sheikh Hasina’s case, in which Hasina was called the ‘mastermind’. Hasina herself has called it biased and politically motivated.
• The interim government of Bangladesh conducted this trial in collaboration with Hasinee’s opponents, which seems to be political. The treaty does not consider some serious crimes like murder and torture as political, but if the entire case is in a political context, India can deny it. Like there was a change of power by removing Hasina. Section 29 of India’s Extradition Act 1962 also allows this.

2. Article 8- Ground of not being in the interest of justice

• Under Article 8 of the treaty, India can refuse extradition if the life of the accused is in danger, he has not received a fair trial or the objective of the tribunal is political rather than judicial. India can show all this easily.
• In Sheikh Hasina’s case, the trial took place without her, which was completed in a hurry. Hasina did not get a lawyer, international organizations have expressed concern over 1400 deaths, Hasina herself is calling it a political conspiracy and according to many reports, there is government pressure on the judges, which seems like a kangaroo court. India may consider it unjust or oppressive. If India feels that this trial is a part of power grab or anti-India forces, then the denial will be legitimate.

Question 3- Why will India not return Sheikh Hasina at any cost?

answer- On 17 November, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said only that any extradition promise would be in the “best interests of the people of Bangladesh”. That means India does not want to hand back Sheikh Hasina at any cost. There are 3 big reasons for this…

1. Foreign affairs expert and JNU professor. Rajan Kumar says, ‘After the coup in Bangladesh, the influence of fundamentalist forces, who sympathize with Pakistan, has increased. Due to giving shelter to Sheikh Hasina, anti-India sentiment will increase there, which will have a direct impact on the peace and stability of the border areas of India.
2. Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year government built deep relations with India. Extradition of militants (ULFA and NSCN) in the North-East, curbing smuggling and limiting China’s influence. If India hands them over, instability will increase in Bangladesh. This may cause harm to India’s border security.
3. In India, both the government and the opposition support Hasina. If extradition happens, relations with Bangladesh will become tense. But denial will not break relations, because India is economically strong.

For now Sheikh Hasina will remain in India. The Indian government has extended his visa and can seek protection in the Supreme Court under Article 21 (right to life). The extradition treaty gives India the freedom to walk on the ‘diplomatic tightrope’. That means there is less benefit and more harm from extradition.

Question 4- If Sheikh Hasina is not returned, tension will increase between India and Bangladesh, what will be the consequences?

answer- According to Dr. Rajan Kumar, India’s non-return of Hasina can weaken bilateral relations, but due to India’s strategic strength, there is no major war-like crisis. According to experts, there will be 4 major consequences of increasing tension…

1. Deep rift in political relations and diplomatic isolation

• The interim government of Bangladesh is already adopting an anti-India stance. He will call the refusal of extradition an ‘extremely unfriendly act’ and ‘disregard for justice’. In this, bilateral meetings may be canceled and Bangladesh will present India as a ‘dominant power’.
• This will make the relations between India and Bangladesh fragile, which are already on the verge of breaking after 2024. After the Bangladesh elections in February 2026, the new government may become more anti-India. India may feel isolated in regional forums like SAARC or BIMSTEC.

2. Increase in border security and illegal migration

• The 4,096 km long border between India and Bangladesh is already a hub of smuggling and infiltration. Tension will increase deployment on the border, but cooperation will reduce. Joint patrolling may also stop. Bangladesh can incite violence on the border by calling Hasina’s supporters as ‘Indian agents’.
• Illegal Bangladeshi infiltration may increase in India’s north-eastern states like Assam, Tripura and Meghalaya, which will incite local discontent. Violence on the border has increased by 30% since 2024.

3. Decrease in economic cooperation and trade

• Bangladesh is India’s largest trading partner. In 2024, there will be trade of 14 billion dollars between the two countries. Garments, medicines and electricity exports will be affected due to tension. Bangladesh is dependent on India for energy and connectivity. Then he can run ‘Boycott India’ campaign.
• Infrastructure projects in India’s northeast may be halted, including the Akhaura-Agartala rail project. Bangladesh’s already deteriorating economy will worsen further. India may also suffer a loss of about 2 to 3 billion dollars.

4. Impact on regional and global diplomacy

• Bangladesh is already getting closer to Pakistan and China, who are trying to encircle India. Forums like Quad or IORA will be affected by increasing tension. India’s ‘Act East’ policy will weaken.
• Diplomatic rhetoric will increase and tensions may increase leading to a ‘strategic shift’ between China and Pakistan. This will be the most dangerous situation for India.
• This month, Pakistan’s warship reached Bangladesh. Due to strengthening of relations with China, India will remain insecure from the Northeast to the Bay of Bengal.
• America and Europe may put pressure on Hasina’s human rights record, but India will get support because Bangladesh’s trial is being considered as ‘vendetta politics’. Bangladesh’s instability could create a refugee crisis for India.

Question 5- On what charges was Sheikh Hasina punished and what is the way forward?
answer- Sheikh Hasina faces 5 charges in ICT Court…

• Giving inflammatory speeches.
• Ordering the use of lethal weapons to suppress and eliminate protesters.
• Abu Saeed, a student of Begum Rokeya University, shot dead in Rangpur.
• Six protesters shot dead in Chankharpul area of ​​Dhaka.
• Six people were burnt to death in Ashulia.

According to the Daily Star report, Sheikh Hasina has been convicted on all charges. He was given death sentence under Section 4 of the Indian Penal Code for shooting dead six unarmed protesters in Chankharpul on August 5 last year.

Sheikh Hasina can challenge the tribunal’s decision in the higher court of Bangladesh. She can demand re-examination of the evidence and review citing unfair trial. Apart from this, Hasina can seek asylum or protection in India or any other country citing ‘threat to her life’.

Bangladesh is once again boiling over Sheikh Hasina’s issue. Awami League supporters have clashed with other parties as well as the police after the International Criminal Tribunal (ICT) awarded death sentence to former Prime Minister Hasina for crimes in the student rebellion case. Two people have lost their lives during the clash with the police.

National Highway Block in Dhaka
Protestors have blocked several national highways in Dhaka and cases of clashes with the police are being reported. According to Bangladeshi media, police had to use batons, sound grenades and tear gas to disperse the protesters.

Many videos have surfaced on social media, in which police are seen chasing the protesters with sticks and sounds of explosions are heard. According to local media, the Dhanmondi 32 area, where the house of Bangladesh’s founder and Sheikh Hasina’s father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is located, remained tense as protesters attempted to march there and destroy property.

Yunus has banned Awami League
Let us tell you that the Muhammad Yunus government of Bangladesh has banned Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League for its role in the anti-government protests of 2024. Before the decision of ICT on Monday, Awami League had called for a 2-day nationwide bandh in protest against this decision, as they termed the decision of ICT as politically motivated.

India’s eye on the whole matter
India is also keeping a close eye on the developments happening in the neighboring country. Let us tell you that after the coup in Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina is living in Delhi under the supervision of the Government of India. The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that as a close neighbour, India is committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including peace, democracy, inclusivity and stability in that country. We will always remain connected with all stakeholders in this direction.

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Bangladesh’s Chief Counsel Muhammad Yunus hailed a special tribunal’s verdict against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her aide, saying the verdict made it clear that no one, regardless of power, is above the law, reaffirming a fundamental principle.

The International Criminal Tribunal-Bangladesh (ICT-BD) sentenced Sheikh Hasina, 78, and her former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death in absentia for crimes against humanity during last year’s student revolt.

The court had earlier declared Sheikh Hasina a fugitive.

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been living in India after fleeing Bangladesh due to massive protests on August 5 last year. Earlier the court had declared him a fugitive. Yunus said in a statement, ‘The clarity with which the Bangladesh Tribunal has expressed its views today is echoed throughout the country and beyond. The conviction and sentence reaffirm a fundamental principle that no person is above the law, no matter how much power he or she holds.’

Sheikh Hasina’s 16-year rule ends after student protest

Yunus took charge as the chief advisor to the interim government in August last year after massive protests in Bangladesh ended Sheikh Hasina’s 16-year rule and she moved to India. Responding to the verdict, Hasina denied the allegations as biased and politically motivated and said the verdict was given by an unauthorized tribunal, established and presided over by an unelected government that has no democratic mandate. In his statement, Yunus said that this decision provides justice to thousands of people and families affected by the insurgency of July and August 2024 who are still grappling with their losses.

Also read: ‘We will find the culprits of Delhi blast even from hell and…’, Amit Shah’s warning to terrorists

Jamaat-e-Islami of Bangladesh has appealed to India to send back former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Hasina has been living in India since 5 August 2024. The Jamaat has reiterated this demand after the International Crimes Tribunal sentenced him to death.

‘India should give proof of being a good neighbour’- Jamaat
Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar said during a press conference at the party office in Moghbazar, Dhaka that if India considers itself a ‘good neighbour’ and a ‘friendly country’, then its first responsibility is to send Hasina back to Bangladesh. He said, ‘The country which gives shelter to a fugitive death row accused is actually standing on the side of the criminal. We demand that they be returned immediately.

‘The trial was transparent and fair’- Jamaat
Responding to the verdict, Porwar said that there is no scope for raising questions on this case. He claimed that the entire trial was ‘transparent, fair and as per international standards’.

Sheikh Hasina sentenced to death
The downfall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina began with the student-led rebellion in Bangladesh last year and she had to leave the country on August 5, 2024. What followed was a chain of events that ultimately led to his conviction and death sentence in absentia by the International Criminal Tribunal for Bangladesh (ICT-Bangladesh) on Monday.

ICT called Sheikh Hasina the main conspirator
In its verdict after a months-long trial, Bangladesh’s International Criminal Tribunal (ICT) described the 78-year-old Awami League leader as the “mastermind and key facilitator” of the violent crackdown that left hundreds of protesters dead. Hasina has been living in India since fleeing Bangladesh due to massive protests on August 5 last year. Earlier the court had declared him a fugitive.

In her reaction, Hasina said that the decision was given by an ‘unauthorized tribunal, established and presided over by an unelected government, which has no democratic mandate.’

Bangladesh’s former PM Sheikh Hasina has been found guilty and sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). Sheikh Hasina has described this decision as one-sided and politically motivated. The former PM of Bangladesh said, ‘This decision was given without hearing my side. This decision has been given by a tribunal which is being run by an unelected government. He has no mandate from the public. This is completely wrong.

Bangladesh court found Sheikh Hasina guilty

Sheikh Hasina, who has been living in India since the fall of her government on August 5 last year, has been sentenced by the International Criminal Tribunal-Bangladesh (ICT-BD). Earlier the court had declared him a fugitive. Reading out the verdict in court, the tribunal said the prosecution had proved beyond any doubt that Hasina was behind the deadly crackdown on student-led protests between July 15 and August 15 last year.

I was not given a chance to present my side: Sheikh Hasina

A report by the United Nations Human Rights Office estimated that 1,400 people were killed during the nearly month-long movement known as the ‘July Uprising’. Sheikh Hasina said, ‘This decision was decided earlier. I was neither given a chance to present my side nor to be represented by my lawyer. There is nothing international in ICT.

Sheikh Hasina claimed that the tribunal had only prosecuted Awami League members, while ignoring violence allegedly perpetrated by political opponents. Former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan was also sentenced to death, while a former police officer was sentenced to five years in prison after turning approver.

Sheikh Hasina’s allegations against Yunus government

Former PM Hasina said that no respectable or legal person in the world will support Bangladesh ICT. He argued that this court was being used to remove the last elected Prime Minister of Bangladesh and eliminate the Awami League as a political force. He further alleged that Yunus’ forces launched retaliatory attacks across the country and looted hundreds of homes, businesses and properties of Awami League leaders and workers.

The International Criminal Tribunal (ICT) of Dhaka has sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death for the killings in the 2024 student movement. The court says that Hasina instigated violence and gave orders to kill. In the same case, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan also got death sentence, while former IGP Abdullah Al-Mamun was given 5 years in jail. The court has also ordered to confiscate the property of Hasina and Khan.

Both the leaders are currently in India for 15 months. Hasina has called the decision political and biased. This decision has come at a time when Hasina has been in exile in India for the last one year. Now the big question is what ways forward are left for them?

What is the matter?
After a lengthy trial, the International Criminal Tribunal for Bangladesh ruled that Sheikh Hasina was directly responsible for the violence during the 2024 student-led movement. The court acknowledged that he had ordered security forces to use ‘harsh and lethal force’. This decision was pronounced in her absence because she has been living in India since August 2024.

How big was the scale of violence?
The situation had worsened during the student protests in 2024. According to a United Nations report, 1,400 people were feared dead and thousands injured during the protests between July 15 and August 5, 2024. This violence is said to be the worst unrest in Bangladesh since the 1971 independence war.

Hasina’s exile
This protest started when student organizations first intensified their demand for improvement in the job quota system and later for Hasina’s resignation. The violence began to escalate rapidly and on August 5, 2024, protesters started moving towards the PM’s residence, just hours before which Hasina left for India. After his departure, an interim government was formed under the leadership of Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus, which was given the responsibility of restoring order and holding elections, but the process of major political reforms has been slow and elections are planned to be held in February.

Ban on Awami League and tense atmosphere
Hasina’s party Awami League has not been allowed to participate in the upcoming elections. Analysts believe that the death penalty decision could give rise to new unrest in the country, especially when elections are near. In recent times, incidents like throwing of crude bombs and burning of vehicles have come to light in different parts of the country.

What happened in the trial?
The prosecution told the court that they have found evidence which proves that Hasina directly ordered the use of lethal force to suppress the movement. The court had appointed a government lawyer for Hasina, who told the court that the allegations were false and she should be acquitted. Before the decision, Hasina herself had said that this entire process is “not fair” and the decision is already decided.

What options does Sheikh Hasina have now?
appeal to supreme court
This decision can be appealed in the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. If the appeal is accepted, it could open the way for the sentence to be overturned or reduced.

garnering political and international support
Hasina is continuously claiming that the matter is motivated by political vendetta. They can try to get support from international organizations, human rights groups and allied countries.

applying political pressure through exile
Because of his residence in India, he is not in danger of immediate arrest. She can organize her party and supporters even while in exile.

Waiting for a new political equation
Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wajed has said that he will appeal only if a democratically elected government is formed and the Awami League is allowed to participate in the political process.

contest extradition
If the Bangladesh government asks for his extradition, they can oppose it on legal and political grounds in India. This process can be long and complicated.

Just before the decision of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave an emotional message in an audio clip sent to her supporters. She said, “Allah has given me life, He will give me death… I will keep working for the people.” Hasina has been accused of committing crimes against humanity during her rule, but she has called these allegations completely false and a political conspiracy.

Hasina said – don’t care about the decision, the allegations are fake
Hasina said that she is not affected by the court’s decision because the allegations against her are false and fabricated. He says that this entire process is part of an attempt to weaken his party Awami League, whereas Awami League is a party formed by the power of the people and not the work of any power grabber.

Yunus government accused of grabbing power
He alleged that the interim government led by Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus is trying to destroy the Awami League. According to Hasina, Yunus has violated the Constitution by forcibly taking power into his hands and this crime is punishable.

Message to supporters – don’t panic, I will return again
Hasina told her supporters not to worry about anything and remain patient. She said that she is alive, will remain alive and will once again work for the welfare of her people. He says that in the end only the public will answer and do justice to Yunus and his associates.

Blunt statement even on ICT’s decision
The former Prime Minister said that even if a verdict is passed against her, she will not back down. She said that she had lost her parents and siblings, her house was burnt, but still she did not give up on her work and kept moving forward. Therefore this decision also will not stop them.

Attack on Gonobhavan called hooliganism
Hasina objected to the looting and vandalism that took place at Gonobhavan after her removal being called a “revolution”. He said that goons and terrorists can never bring revolution and damaging government property is not a symbol of any movement.

Targeting the deteriorating situation of the country
Hasina said that people’s lives were getting better under her rule, but now unemployment is increasing, industries are closing, income is decreasing and scams in banks are increasing. According to him, it is necessary to take the country out of this difficult situation.

Strong message given at the end
At the end of the message, she said that party workers need not worry because when the time comes, everyone will be accounted for and she will come back to work for the public. He said, “Inshallah, we will all be fine,” and ended his message with “Jai Bangla, Jai Bangla, Bangladesh.”

Hearing against Sheikh Hasina: The prosecution of the International Crime Tribunal (ICT) has formally accused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for crimes committed against humanity during the July public rebellion. The prosecution filed a charge sheet on Sunday (June 01, 2025).

According to the report of Dhaka Tribune, former Home Minister Asaduzaman Khan Kamal and former IGP Chaudhary Mamoon have also been made co-accused in the case. This case is being broadcast live on Bangladesh television. In the allegations presented on Sunday, Hasina has been described as the main accused for the mass murders across the country in July and August. Chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam and other prosecutors were present during the filing of the case. Earlier, on May 12, the investigators submitted a report stating that Sheikh Hasina had ordered the killings.