DHAKA, (TDI): Bangladesh has formally requested India to return ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to face judicial proceedings, Acting Foreign Minister Touhid Hossain announced on Monday.
“We have sent a diplomatic note to the Indian government, stating that the Bangladesh government wants her back for judicial proceedings,” Hossain told reporters in Dhaka, as reported by the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangsta (BSS) news agency. However, he did not elaborate on the nature of the judicial process.
Hasina fled to India on August 5 after being toppled during a massive student-led uprising against her 14-year rule, which left over 700 people dead.
An extradition treaty between Bangladesh and India is in place, according to Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.
“We have a prisoner exchange agreement with India, and this matter will be handled under that framework,” Chowdhury confirmed in Dhaka.
India’s foreign ministry and Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, have yet to comment, Reuters reported.
In the interim, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been leading a transitional government following Hasina’s removal.
Corruption Probe Against Sheikh Hasina
Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched an investigation into allegations of a $5 billion embezzlement scandal involving Sheikh Hasina, her family, and a government minister.
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The allegations are tied to the $12.65 billion Rooppur nuclear power plant, the country’s first. Bobby Hajjaj, chairman of the Nationalist Democratic Movement party and a political opponent of Hasina, filed a writ in the High Court seeking an inquiry into the alleged corruption.
The ACC stated that it is probing claims that Hasina and her relatives funneled $5 billion from the nuclear project into offshore accounts through inflated construction costs.
Those under investigation include Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and her niece, Tulip Siddiq.
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“The allegations involve kickbacks, mismanagement, money laundering, and potential abuse of power, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the project and public fund usage,” the ACC said in a statement.
The probe also extends to alleged theft from a government housing initiative for the homeless. Court documents submitted to the High Court name Tulip Siddiq alongside her aunt, citing evidence of embezzled funds linked to inflated project costs.
Hasina, now 77, fled Bangladesh via helicopter on August 5, sparking public outrage from citizens demanding her trial for alleged “mass murder” and corruption.
Attempts to contact Hasina, who is reportedly in exile in India, were unsuccessful. Her son, Joy, currently based in the United States, was also unavailable for comment.
