Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, has clarified that the reported extension of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visa in India has no bearing on Dhaka’s request for her extradition to face trial.
Speaking at a weekly media briefing on Thursday, a foreign office spokesperson stated, “We have requested India to return Sheikh Hasina as a Bangladeshi citizen. Her visa status in India is not relevant to this request.”
Sheikh Hasina, 77, fled to India on August 5 last year after a massive student-led uprising toppled her Awami League government’s 16-year rule. Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants for Hasina and several former Cabinet members, accusing them of crimes against humanity, genocide, and enforced disappearances.
The tribunal, originally established to prosecute collaborators of atrocities during Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War, has ordered authorities to arrest Hasina and ensure her appearance in court by February 12. The charges include alleged mass killings during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, known as the July-August Uprising.
Bangladesh announced on Tuesday that it had revoked the passports of Sheikh Hasina and 96 others allegedly involved in human rights violations and killings. However, foreign office spokesman Rafiqul Alam noted that when a Bangladeshi citizen’s passport is canceled, the country where they reside is informed through diplomatic channels, rendering a visa unnecessary.
Asked about recent reports of India extending Sheikh Hasina’s visa, Alam stated, “We do not have additional information, so we will not speculate.”
Last month, Bangladesh formally requested Hasina’s repatriation to stand trial, but New Delhi has yet to respond to the extradition request. When questioned about the timeline for India’s reply, Alam remarked, “There is no definitive answer to this. We will wait for India’s response.”
Sheikh Hasina’s departure to India on the same day her government fell has added complexity to the situation. While Dhaka presses for her return to face justice, India’s next steps in handling the extradition request remain uncertain.