BNP Calls for Extradition of Sheikh Hasina Following Election Victory
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which achieved a significant win in the recent general elections, has reiterated its demand for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India to face trial back in Bangladesh.
In a statement made shortly after the BNP’s victory, Salahuddin Ahmed, a member of the party’s Standing Committee, highlighted the party’s intention to formally request India’s cooperation in extraditing Hasina. “Our foreign minister has already pursued her extradition, and we are fully supportive of this effort,” Ahmed stated.
The BNP has consistently advocated for Hasina’s return under legal frameworks, emphasizing that this matter is a diplomatic issue between Bangladesh and India. “We have urged the Indian government to facilitate her return so she can stand trial in Bangladesh,” he added.
While the BNP seeks to maintain amicable relations with its neighbors, Ahmed emphasized that such ties must be founded on principles of equality. “We aim for a friendly relationship based on mutual respect with all countries, including India,” he explained.
This demand comes on the heels of comments made by Hasina, who recently described the elections in Bangladesh as a “sham.”
India’s Position on Extradition
In response to recent developments, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, emphasized that the request for Hasina’s extradition is being reviewed amid ongoing judicial processes. “We have received the request and are examining it as part of our internal legal proceedings,” he noted.
Bangladesh has formally requested Hasina’s extradition under a bilateral treaty. Jaiswal confirmed India’s commitment to the well-being of the people of Bangladesh, stating that the country remains eager to engage positively with all parties involved to promote stability and democracy.
Current Whereabouts of Hasina
The call for extradition follows the BNP’s decisive win in the elections, marking the first national vote since the public uprising in August 2024, which resulted in Hasina’s removal from office.
Hasina, who has been living in New Delhi since her ouster, was sentenced to death in absentia by a tribunal in November 2025 for crimes against humanity linked to violent actions during the unrest in 2024. Since her departure from politics, she has mostly stayed out of the public eye, apart from rare appearances and occasional public addresses. In January 2026, her speech from Delhi urging citizens to oppose the current interim government sparked strong reactions back in Bangladesh.
