Death sentence was awarded to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today by International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh (ICT-BD). Following this, India has issued a response, saying that India remains committed to the “best interests of the people of Bangladesh.” Since August 2024, Hasina has been residing in exile in New Delhi.

What is India’s reaction on Sheikh Hasina’s death sentence?

The Ministry of External Affairs in a formal statement said it has ‘noted’ the ICT-BD’s verdict.

“As a close neighbour, India remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh — including peace, democracy, inclusion and stability,” the statement said. The statement also added that it would always engage constructively with all stakeholders.

What does the tribunal’s verdict include?

Death sentence was awarded by the ICT-BD to Sheikh Hasina, former interior minister Asaduzzaman Khan, and ex-police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. This judgement is regarding the link of Hasina, who gave orders to suppress a student-led uprising in 2024, the unrest that as per the UN has claimed up to 1,400 lives.

How has Muhammad Yunus government responded?

Calling the order a historic verdict, Bangladesh interim administration headed by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said that Dhaka has also asked New Delhi to extradite Hasina and Khan considering the existing India–Bangladesh treaty, as per international news agencies. However, India is yet to confirm the extradition requests.

However, Hasina has rejected the judgement, and called the tribunal “rigged” and politically motivated. She even pointed out that she wasn’t given an opportunity to defend herself and she said that she is “not afraid to face accusers” in a legitimate court with proper evidence and evaluation.

What was the 2024 uprising in Bangladesh?

The uprising stemmed from public outrage over the civil-service quota system in which the then Hasina government reserved 30% of government jobs for freedom-fighters and their descendants.

Although the quota was scrapped in 2018, in 2024 a lower court reinstated it, leading to protests, curfew and widespread violence. When the demonstrations and unrest intensified, the Supreme Court gave orders that 93% of jobs would be filled on merit, but by then it was too late and the protest had taken a bad shape and became a movement that led to Hasina’s ouster on August 5, 2024.

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