Dhaka sends formal request to New Delhi for ousted PM Sheikh Hasina's extradition

The interim government in Bangladesh has urged India to send deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina back to Dhaka.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed receiving the note but declined further comment.

"We confirm that we have received a Note Verbale from the Bangladesh High Commission today in connection with an extradition request. At this time, we have no comment to offer on this matter," a Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Awami League leader Hasina, (77) has been living in India since August 5 when she fled Bangladesh amid massive student-led protests that brought down her 16-year-old regime and forced her to flee.

The Dhaka-based International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants in the name of Sheikh Hasina and her ministers, advisors and former military and civil officials, accusing them of "crimes against humanity and genocide".

"We have sent a note verbale (diplomatic message) to the Indian government saying that Bangladesh wants her back here for the judicial process." Touhid Hossain, the foreign affairs adviser in the interim government told reporters on Dec 23.

Last month, Bangladesh's interim head Muhammad Yunus had announced that the government would seek Hasina's extradition from India. Hasina fled to India on August 5 this year after mass protests against her regime.

The Nobel Laureate while addressing the nation on his 100th day in office, said that his administration would prosecute those accountable, including Hasina, for the numerous casualties during the student protests that concluded her 15-year leadership.

"We will seek the return of the fallen autocrat Sheikh Hasina from India," Yunus said.

"I have already discussed the issue with the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Karim Khan," he added.

Earlier, Home Advisor Jahangir Alam said his office has sent a letter to the External Affairs Ministry here to facilitate Hasina's extradition.

"We have sent a letter to the foreign ministry regarding her extradition. The process is currently underway," he told the reporters.

Alam said an extradition treaty exists between Dhaka and New Delhi, and Hasina could be taken back to Bangladesh under that arrangement.

The diplomatic communication seeking Sheikh Hasina's return comes weeks after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Bangladesh and spoke to Chief Advisor in the interim government, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.

Speaking to reporters in Dhaka, Misri had said he had a frank, candid, and constructive exchange of views with his interlocutors and discussed the entire gamut of issues in the "extremely important bilateral relationship". He said India had also raised the issue of attacks on minorities, including Hindus, with Bangladesh leaders.

According to a statement from the Chief Advisor's office Hasina's stay in India was also discussed. The Chief Advisor had then said, "Our people are concerned because she is making many statements from there. It creates tensions."

Last month, in an address to the nation on the completion of 100 days of the interim government, Yunus said it would seek the extradition of Hasina.

“We must ensure justice in every killing… We will also ask India to send back fallen autocrat Sheikh Hasina,” he said.

In India, the Extradition Act, 1962 under the MEA “prescribes separate procedures for handling extradition requests from different countries depending upon the procedural and evidentiary requirements envisaged in the relevant extradition treaty,” states the Extradition Act.

Yunus, who assumed office on August 8, claimed that about 1,500 people, including students and workers, were killed while 19,931 others were wounded during the protest against the Hasina government.

Ahead of the Foreign Secretary's visit on Dec 9, Hasina targeted the interim government and accused Yunus of running a "fascist regime". In a virtual address to Awami League supporters in London, she alleged that Yunus was the "mastermind" behind the political turmoil that ended her regime.

"Since August 5, the attacks on minorities, places of worship of Hindus, Christians and Buddhists have been rampant. We condemn it. The Jamaat and terrorists are having a free run under the new regime," she said.

"Bangladesh is now under the grip of a fascist regime where people's democratic rights have been obliterated. Our government's achievements in poverty alleviation and infrastructure development, strengthening of democracy were being undone under Yunus's leadership," she added.