Dhaka: After securing a two-thirds majority in Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections, Tarique Rahman has issued a key statement regarding the possible extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Rahman, chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the country’s prime minister-designate, said during a press conference that bringing Hasina back from India would depend entirely on the legal process.
Hasina has been living in New Delhi since August 2024 after leaving Bangladesh following a student-led movement. In November 2025, Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) sentenced the 78-year-old to death after convicting her of crimes against humanity.
Senior BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed reiterated the party’s stand, stating that the Indian government should send Hasina back to Bangladesh to face the law.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has earlier clarified that any request for extradition would be examined in accordance with judicial and domestic legal procedures.
Speaking after his electoral victory, Rahman said that political parties are the true pillars of democracy in a democratic state. However, he did not comment on whether the ban on Hasina’s party, Awami League, would be lifted.
Nearly 50 political parties contested the elections, but the Awami League was barred from participating. Attention is now focused on potential diplomatic engagement between India and Bangladesh over the matter.
