Bangladesh’s Law Minister Asaduzzaman has stated that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be brought back to Bangladesh strictly through legal channels, asserting that Dhaka has completed all required legal formalities from its end and that “what India does is up to them.”
Speaking to reporters in remarks cited by Bangladeshi daily Prothom Alo on Sunday, November 15, 2026, Asaduzzaman also ruled out the possibility of Hasina appealing her capital punishment upon return, noting that individuals convicted of crimes against humanity are barred from filing an appeal under the relevant statutory provisions after missing the stipulated window.
Passport Request, Death Sentence & Reported Indian Conditions
The minister’s comments come amid heightened diplomatic focus following reports that Hasina—who has lived in India since fleeing Dhaka during the August 2024 mass uprising—recently approached the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi seeking a new passport and national identity card, while expressing her intent to return home despite facing execution:
-
- ‘No Option’ Left on Death Verdict: In November 2025, Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) convicted Hasina in absentia of crimes against humanity linked to the deadly crackdown on the July–August 2024 student-led protests, handing her a death sentence on one count and life imprisonment on another. ICT Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam recently reiterated that Hasina has “no option” left except to face execution of the verdict if she returns, having failed to appear within the mandatory appeal timeframe.
- Reported Conditions From New Delhi: According to a BBC Bangla report, India has reportedly conveyed two key conditions regarding Hasina’s possible return—namely that the Bangladesh Army facilitate her safe transit and that Dhaka guarantee her the legal right to appeal her death sentence. India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has not officially commented on the report, maintaining that New Delhi is reviewing Dhaka’s extradition requests and remains open to discussing all bilateral matters.
”Sheikh Hasina will return to Bangladesh through legal means. We have completed everything required from our side as part of the legal process. What they (India) will do is up to them.”
— Asaduzzaman, Law Minister of Bangladesh
Strained India-Bangladesh Diplomatic Ties
Bilateral relations between New Delhi and Dhaka have remained tense since Hasina sought refuge in India in 2024. While Bangladesh’s government has repeatedly pressed for her extradition to face justice, Hasina has rejected the tribunal’s charges as politically motivated.
