N※N

Bangladesh Seeks Interpol-Assisted Extradition of Sheikh Hasina from India

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. ted-extradition-of-sheikh-hasina-from-india.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, November 19th 2025 at 5:48 GMT by Business Today

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-11-13 224 x 224 / 10488 Bytes

2025-11-19 224 x 224 / 13060 Bytes

2025-11-19 179 x 224 / 10561 Bytes

2025-11-19 224 x 224 / 11857 Bytes

Bangladesh Seeks Interpol‑Assisted Extradition of Sheikh Hasina from India: A Comprehensive Summary

The Business Today article dated 19 November 2025 reports a fresh diplomatic flare‑up between Bangladesh and India, centered on a startling extradition request that has sent ripples through South Asian security circles. In an unprecedented move, Dhaka has turned to Interpol for help in extracting a political figure—Sheikh Hasina—from Indian custody. The request is being framed as a counter‑terrorism measure, but its political undertones are unmistakable. Below is a detailed synthesis of the key facts, legal angles, and political fallout that the article charts.

1. The Core Incident

• Who is Sheikh Hasina?
  The name refers to a 53‑year‑old political activist from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). She was arrested in India in September 2024 on charges of “associating with a banned extremist organization” and “incitement to violence” after a series of rallies in Kolkata that the police deemed unlawful. Her arrest followed a sting operation that allegedly recorded her praising a banned militant group.

• Dhaka’s Red Notice
  On 8 November 2025, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Home Affairs lodged a Red Notice with Interpol, invoking Article 3(1) of the 1989 Interpol Constitution (the “International Search and Arrest” provision). The notice lists Sheikh Hasina as a “suspected terrorist” and requests that member states, including India, arrest her if she is found in their territory.

• Bangladesh’s Extradition Request
  The Red Notice is paired with an extradition request filed through the Interpol liaison office in Dhaka. The request cites the 2012 Bangladesh‑India Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) and argues that Sheikh Hasina’s alleged activities threaten regional security.

2. Legal Context

• India–Bangladesh Extradition Framework
  The two countries do not have a dedicated extradition treaty. Instead, they rely on the MLAT, which covers “the recovery and return of persons who have been prosecuted for criminal offences” but is limited to cases where the offence is “serious enough” and “not politically motivated.” Legal scholars quoted in the article point out that the MLAT explicitly excludes cases involving “political or diplomatic activities.”

• Interpol’s Role
  Interpol’s Red Notice is not a warrant for arrest; it is an “international notice of a wanted person.” The Red Notice itself is not enforceable; each member state must decide whether to act upon it. The article notes that Interpol’s constitution prohibits the use of its services for “politically motivated” cases.

• Indian Law
  India’s Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) Section 152(1) allows for extradition if the accused is a “foreign national” and the offence is punishable by death or imprisonment for 10 years or more. However, the law also requires that the extradition request be backed by a treaty. Absent that, India can only offer “assistance” under the MLAT.

3. Government Reactions

• Bangladeshi Response
  The Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson, M. Abdul Alim, called the Red Notice a “necessary step to safeguard regional peace.” He added that “India has been a key partner in counter‑terrorism” and urged “cooperation” in prosecuting Sheikh Hasina.

• Indian Response
  Home Minister Rahul Dutta issued a statement dismissing the request as “premature” and “politically motivated.” He emphasised that “India is committed to upholding the rule of law and will not act on a request that lacks a formal treaty.” A spokesperson from the Ministry of External Affairs echoed the same stance, citing the absence of an extradition treaty and the principle of sovereign jurisdiction.

• Legal Expert Commentary
  The article quotes Dr. Meera Rao, a constitutional law professor at the University of Delhi, who explained that “India will first assess the legality of the Red Notice under the Interpol Constitution. If it finds the notice politically motivated, it will refuse to act.” She also warned that “a refusal could strain diplomatic ties” but that “the rule of law must prevail.”

4. Political and Public Repercussions

• Bangladeshi Domestic Politics
  The BNP, from which Sheikh Hasina hails, has long accused the ruling Awami League of using law‑enforcement agencies to suppress opposition. The extradition request has therefore been framed by BNP leaders as a “political ploy” by the Awami League. The article reports that the opposition has called for a parliamentary inquiry into the alleged abuse of the Interpol system.

• Indian Public Opinion
  Media coverage in India has been sharply divided. A number of opinion pieces in The Times of India and The Hindu argue that “India’s democratic values require a thorough vetting of such requests.” In contrast, nationalist outlets have framed the extradition as a “betrayal” of India’s sovereignty. The article notes that social media campaigns under the hashtag #ProtectHasina have seen thousands of likes, yet the overall sentiment appears cautious.

• Diplomatic Exchanges
  Following the Red Notice, the Indian Embassy in Dhaka issued a clarifying note stating that “India will not cooperate with any extradition that is not backed by a treaty or the legal provisions under its domestic law.” Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister, Syed Kamal, responded by saying that “India’s refusal will not deter Dhaka from pursuing the matter through other channels, including the International Court of Justice.”

5. Broader Regional Context

• Interpol and Politically Motivated Arrests
  The article cites a 2024 report by the International Center for Law and Justice that identified 27 cases where Interpol was used in politically sensitive contexts. It stresses that Interpol’s constitution, specifically Article 3, requires a “clear and credible evidence” that the request is “criminal” and not “politically driven.” The article argues that the Bangladesh request may fall into the gray zone, especially since Sheikh Hasina is a known political activist.

• Comparative Cases
  The article draws parallels to the 2018 extradition of a Pakistani national from the UK, who was accused of terrorism but whose extradition was delayed due to political concerns. It notes that the Indian government’s current stance mirrors the UK’s cautious approach.

• Future Implications
  Analysts predict that the dispute could prompt a review of India’s bilateral security agreements. Some lawmakers suggest that the absence of a formal extradition treaty is a vulnerability, while others warn that hastily drafting such a treaty could “politicise” law‑enforcement agencies.

6. Summary

Business Today’s report portrays a complex interplay of legal procedure, diplomatic nuance, and political theatre. Bangladesh’s attempt to leverage Interpol to extradite Sheikh Hasina from India highlights the limitations of India’s extradition framework, the procedural safeguards embedded in Interpol’s operations, and the sensitivities of domestic politics in both countries. The article underscores that, despite the procedural legitimacy of the Red Notice, its political dimensions could jeopardise India’s sovereign decision‑making. It calls for a transparent, law‑based approach to prevent the misuse of international policing tools and preserve bilateral trust.

Key Takeaways

1. No Extradition Treaty – India’s reluctance stems largely from the lack of a formal treaty.
2. Interpol’s Neutrality – The Red Notice must meet strict criteria to avoid being deemed politically motivated.
3. Domestic Politics – The case is being weaponised by Bangladesh’s opposition and by nationalist circles in India.
4. Diplomatic Fallout – The incident threatens to strain India‑Bangladesh relations if not handled delicately.
5. Future Safeguards – Both countries may need to revisit bilateral security agreements to manage similar disputes.

For more detailed background, the article links to the Interpol website’s “Red Notice” policy page, the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs’ guide on the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, and a 2024 report by the International Center for Law and Justice on politically sensitive extraditions.