In a move that could reshape the political landscape of Bangladesh, the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus is taking drastic measures to bring former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and ex-Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal back to face justice. But here’s where it gets controversial: after both were sentenced to death in absentia by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) for alleged crimes against humanity, Yunus’s administration is now turning to Interpol to secure their extradition from India. This high-stakes legal and diplomatic drama raises questions about political motives, international relations, and the limits of justice—and it’s far from over.
The ICT’s verdict, handed down in Dhaka, has sparked a firestorm of reactions. Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India after being ousted during the tumultuous July-August 2024 protests, has accused Yunus’s interim government of orchestrating a politically motivated trial to dismantle her Awami League party. And this is the part most people miss: while Hasina and Kamal face the death penalty, former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who turned state witness, received only a five-year prison term. What does this say about the fairness of the proceedings?
Interpol’s potential involvement adds another layer of complexity. ICT prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim has confirmed that an application for a Red Notice—an international alert for fugitives—has been submitted, based on the conviction warrant. But will India, which has historically maintained a delicate balance in its relations with Bangladesh, comply? New Delhi’s response so far has been cautiously neutral, emphasizing its commitment to Bangladesh’s best interests while avoiding direct action.
Here’s the catch: India and Bangladesh share a 2013 extradition treaty, but it includes a loophole for cases deemed ‘political in character.’ Experts argue that Hasina’s case falls into a legally gray and politically sensitive zone. If India refuses extradition, it could strain bilateral ties. If it agrees, it risks being seen as meddling in Bangladesh’s internal affairs.
Meanwhile, the clock is ticking. Under tribunal law, Hasina and Kamal have 30 days to surrender and file appeals. Both have denounced the verdict as politically motivated, with Kamal going as far as linking it to Pakistan-backed groups. The Awami League has called the trial ‘biased’ and ‘rigged,’ accusing the unelected interim government of lacking democratic legitimacy.
As Dhaka ramps up its extradition efforts, the world watches India’s next move. Will it hand over Bangladesh’s longest-serving prime minister, or will it invoke the ‘political’ clause to protect her? What do you think? Is this a legitimate pursuit of justice, or a politically driven witch hunt? Let us know in the comments—this debate is far from settled.