World
Hasina says duty to supporters will bring her back
Bangladesh’s new government could turn her return into immediate prosecution
Bangladesh’s new government could turn her return into immediate prosecution
Sheikh Hasina says she will return to Bangladesh in December, even if she risks arrest, torture or death. She was removed from office on August 5, 2024, after a , and went to India. Bangladesh’s new has filed criminal cases against her and sought her return several times. It says she can come back for trial. Hasina says returning is her duty and would let her stand with supporters and ordinary people.
The trip is not confirmed. Her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, says no date has been set. India says the request is moving through but has not agreed to send her back. Returning could mean immediate arrest and court proceedings. Staying in India could prolong disputes over blame, the ’s future and ties between India and Bangladesh. The decision could test or delay Bangladesh’s .
Sheikh Hasina said she planned to return to Bangladesh in December and surrender, despite the possibility of arrest. Bangladesh has sought her extradition from India, while India says the request is being handled as a legal matter.
Bangladesh has sought Hasina’s to face multiple proceedings, and officials have said she would be welcomed if she returned to face trial. Her return could therefore lead to arrest and court proceedings, while the status of the and its participation in politics remains central to the transition.
Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, clarified that the December plan was not a confirmed itinerary. He said an exact date would be announced closer to the time, distinguishing Hasina’s stated intention from an arranged journey.
Speaking virtually at a Washington-area event, Hasina said she was not afraid of being arrested, tortured or killed and that returning was her responsibility. She said she wanted to stand with supporters and ordinary citizens facing difficulties, but she did not announce a travel date.
India’s foreign ministry said its position had not changed after Hasina expressed a desire to return in December. The ministry described as a legal issue and did not confirm that India would facilitate her travel or surrender.
The government led by Tarique Rahman urged India to act quickly on extradition requests, citing the and ongoing legal proceedings. The demand kept Hasina’s refuge at the center of strained Bangladesh-India relations.
India acknowledged receiving Bangladesh’s request to extradite Hasina and said it was being examined through . New Delhi did not commit to handing her over or set a timetable for a decision.
Bangladeshi authorities filed multiple cases connected to violence and alleged crimes during the uprising. The proceedings created an arrest and prosecution risk if Hasina returned, while Bangladesh began seeking her handover from India.
After Hasina’s departure, Bangladesh moved into a new political and legal phase while she remained in India. Her presence there became both a domestic demand for accountability and a sensitive issue in relations between Dhaka and New Delhi.
A ended Hasina’s tenure as Bangladesh’s prime minister and forced her to leave the country for India. Her departure created the unresolved question of whether she would return to face Bangladesh’s new authorities and courts.