2024-09-07 17:02:27
DhakaThe question of extradition of Sheikh Hasina, who came to India on August 5 after resigning from the post of PM of Bangladesh, is being raised continuously. After the statement of the leader of the interim government of Bangladesh, Mohammad Yunus, this question has once again come into discussion. Yunus has said in his recent statement that no one in India is comfortable with Hasina’s stance, because we want to bring her back. She is in India and sometimes keeps speaking, which is not right. If she had remained silent, we would have forgotten, but she is speaking while sitting in India. No one likes this. This is not good for us or for India.
According to a Firstpost report, Yunus was referring to Sheikh Hasina’s statement of August 13, in which she demanded an investigation into the recent developments in Bangladesh. This is the only statement from Hasina so far. It was shared from her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy’s ex handle. After Yunus’ statement, it is being asked whether Hasina can be extradited to Bangladesh.
Can Hasina be extradited?
If the Bangladesh government wants, it can request their extradition from India. The two countries signed an extradition treaty in 2013. Some changes were also made to this treaty in the year 2016. The treaty states that both countries should extradite such persons ‘against whom proceedings have been initiated, who have been found guilty of committing extraditable offenses or are wanted. The treaty allows extradition for those who are accused of such a crime, which can be punished with a minimum of one year in prison. These crimes should be punishable in both India and Bangladesh.
The charges against Sheikh Hasina are serious. There are also murder cases against her. In such a situation, she can be extradited on these grounds, but a rule of the treaty itself creates a problem in this. There is a provision in the treaty, which says that if the crimes are of ‘political nature’, then extradition can be denied. Obviously, Hasin can claim political asylum. Apart from this, the attitude of the government also becomes very important in this.
India will take steps thoughtfully
Article 7 of the treaty states that the extradition request can be rejected by the other country. There has been no public comment from India on the issue of sending Sheikh Hasina back to Bangladesh. In response to a question in this regard, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said that this issue is still in the ‘realm of hypothetical’.
Experts believe that India will keep its interests in mind before taking any step. The legalities of the treaty do not matter. Experts believe that there is an interim government in Bangladesh right now. Its statements should not bother India much. This is a regular government, with which India would like to be associated for a long time and hence will pay attention to it. Also, only FIRs have been registered so far. The case will have to be investigated, a charge sheet will have to be filed and then the court will take cognizance. If Hasina is found guilty, then the extradition process will be discussed. It is very possible that the situation may have changed a lot by then.