Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been convicted of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death by a court in Bangladesh. She is currently in New Delhi, India, having sought refuge there in August 2024 during a massive student-led uprising. Her self-imposed exile continues under the protection of Indian authorities, despite Dhaka’s increasing legal and political demands for her extradition. Bangladesh has formally submitted its request to India for Hasina’s return. However, as of mid-2025, India has not yet formally responded. Unofficial reports suggest some Indian officials are hesitant, concerned about the potential negative international implications of extradition. Bangladesh maintains that Hasina’s visa status in India is irrelevant to its request. India has reportedly extended her visa, which has been described as a “purely technical” measure, not indicative of asylum. Hasina’s legal troubles have mounted. In July 2025, she was given a six-month jail sentence in absentia for contempt of court, linked to a confirmed leaked audio recording where she allegedly made statements about a “license to kill.” Earlier, in June 2025, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) formally indicted her on five charges of crimes against humanity, including incitement and conspiracy, connected to the July-August 2024 unrest. The death sentence for these crimes was delivered in absentia on November 17, 2025. From her New Delhi location, Hasina has communicated through email interviews, stating she would consider returning to Bangladesh only if free and fair elections are held. She claims to be living “freely” within “reasonable limits” in Delhi. A second arrest warrant has been issued in Bangladesh against Hasina, this time related to alleged enforced disappearances during her previous 15-year rule. The bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and India remains delicate; Dhaka has expressed a desire to improve ties, but India’s lack of action on the extradition request is a point of contention. Within Bangladesh, 2025 has seen significant political unrest, including confrontations between pro-Hasina activists and security personnel. Protesters have targeted Hasina-linked properties, such as her former residence, allegedly in response to her exile statements. Furthermore, a large-scale security operation has led to thousands of arrests, many identified as Hasina loyalists. As of late 2025, Sheikh Hasina remains in self-imposed exile in New Delhi, under Indian security. Her options include pursuing an appeal against the conviction in Bangladesh’s Supreme Court. However, India’s current reluctance to extradite her complicates matters. She continues to issue political statements from exile, conditioning her return on democratic election standards, while her party faces growing domestic pressure.
