Amid reports that former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is planning to return to Dhaka, India on Tuesday said its position on the matter has not changed. Hasina, 78, has been living in India since August 2024, after leaving Bangladesh following the collapse of her government during a massive anti-government movement.
According to reports, sources close to Hasina said she is planning to return to Bangladesh to revive the Awami League.
India calls extradition a legal matter
Responding to questions, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India’s stand remains the same. He said that any request related to Sheikh Hasina’s extradition is a legal matter and will be handled according to the law.
Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death in 2024
In November 2024, a special tribunal in Dhaka sentenced Sheikh Hasina to death in absentia in a case related to alleged crimes against humanity during the government’s crackdown on student-led protests.
Since the verdict, Bangladesh has repeatedly asked India to extradite Hasina so she can face legal proceedings.
Bangladesh welcomes Hasina’s possible return
Bangladesh has welcomed reports of Sheikh Hasina’s planned return, saying she should go through the legal process to prove her innocence. Meanwhile, Kazi Nasim Rupak, a member of the Awami League’s publicity sub-committee, said party workers are ready to welcome their leader back.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Tariq Rahman’s adviser, Zahed Ur Rahman, also said that Hasina is free to bring the best lawyers in the world to defend her case.
First published on: Jul 15, 2026 07:46 PM IST
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