Bangladesh’s interim government led by Muhammad Yunus is moving forward with plans to seek Interpol’s assistance to extradite former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and ex-home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal from India. The move comes shortly after the International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka sentenced both leaders to death in absentia for alleged crimes against humanity linked to the July–August 2024 unrest. Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim confirmed that preparations are underway to request a fresh Interpol Red Notice based on the conviction warrant, replacing the earlier application tied to an arrest warrant. Hasina fled to India following the 2024 student protests that rapidly escalated, and she is believed to be staying in New Delhi, while Kamal is also thought to be in India though he has not disclosed his location.
The interim administration has announced that it will formally write to India seeking extradition, reviving an earlier request made in December 2024 that drew no response from New Delhi. India issued a carefully worded statement after the verdict, saying it remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh and intends to engage constructively with all stakeholders. Although India and Bangladesh have a 2013 extradition treaty, the pact includes a provision allowing refusal of extradition in cases considered political, placing Hasina’s case in a legally complex and diplomatically sensitive zone. Hasina and Kamal have 30 days to surrender and appeal under tribunal rules, but both have rejected the verdict as a politically motivated attempt to eliminate Awami League leadership.
The Awami League has strongly criticized the tribunal, calling it a creation of an unelected interim administration and alleging the process lacked transparency and fairness. Hasina accused the Yunus-led government of targeting her to weaken her party, while Kamal claimed the tribunal was designed solely to dismantle Awami League leadership. Bangladesh’s move to involve Interpol and pressure India marks a significant escalation in the political crisis that began with the 2024 student protests. With Dhaka intensifying its push for extradition and India maintaining strategic ambiguity, regional observers are watching closely to see how New Delhi navigates one of the most sensitive diplomatic challenges between the two countries in recent years.
