Bangladesh's Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman has stated that the government is taking all necessary legal steps to bring ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina back from India, describing her as a convicted criminal sentenced by a Bangladeshi tribunal.
On Sunday, November 8, the minister Md Asaduzzaman said the government was pursuing the matter through established legal procedures.
"To me, she is a criminal. She is a convict, sentenced by our tribunal. That is her identity to us. Legal procedures are underway to bring her back," Asaduzzaman told journalists.
He made the remarks after inaugurating a workshop titled 'Integrity in Judicial Proceedings', organised by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) at a hotel in Dhaka.
Bangladesh sends extradition request to India
Later the law minister confirmed that Bangladesh had already sent a formal request to India under the existing extradition treaty, seeking Hasina's return. When asked whether the government would pursue a legal battle in an Indian court to secure her extradition, Asaduzzaman said the matter would depend on the Indian authorities.
"We have sent a request to them under the extradition treaty. If they hand her over to us, we will bring her under the law through due process in the manner required," he said.
He also maintained that Bangladesh would follow the necessary legal procedures if India agreed to hand over the former prime minister.
Minister rejects questions over Hasina's status in India
During the briefing, journalists raised questions about Hasina's status in India, including the suggestion that she was staying there as a state guest rather than being held as a prisoner. Asaduzzaman confirmed India's description of her status would not change Bangladesh's legal position.
He maintained that Hasina had been tried in an open court in Bangladesh and questioned whether there had been any shortcomings in the judicial proceedings. The minister also referred to the human cost of the July 2024 uprising, citing figures of approximately 1,400 people killed and 30,000 injured or disabled. These figures were presented as part of his response to questions about the trial and the government's position.
Hasina's lawyers seek new passport and NID
At the same time, international media reported that Hasina's legal representatives had approached Bangladesh's diplomatic mission in New Delhi seeking a new Bangladeshi passport and national identity document. It was a letter from the London-based law firm Matrix Chambers that requested the renewal of her documents. The request has introduced another legal dimension to Hasina's situation in India.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said the government was examining the authenticity of the applications and their legal basis. He said the foreign and law ministries were reviewing the matter under the relevant passport, citizenship and national identity laws.
The home minister also reiterated that Bangladesh had already approached India through diplomatic channels under the extradition treaty.
India yet to announce a final decision
Hasina's continued presence in India remains an important issue in relations between the two neighbouring countries. Bangladesh has sought her return through formal diplomatic and legal channels, while India has previously acknowledged receiving extradition requests from Dhaka. However, a final decision on handing her over has not been publicly announced. The extradition process involves legal and diplomatic considerations, including the provisions of the bilateral treaty and the position of the Indian authorities.
Government insists on due process
Asaduzzaman restated that the government would enforce the law rather than allow emotions or political considerations to determine the outcome.
"There is no room for emotion here. The matter is that I will enforce the law," he said.
He added that the government would be accountable for ensuring that all necessary legal procedures were followed.
The latest statements indicate that Hasina's possible return remains a significant legal and diplomatic issue for Bangladesh, with the government continuing to press India for cooperation while examining related developments involving her citizenship documents and legal status.
