Hasina’s extradition to be dealt with under law: Jaiswal

India on Tuesday said the extradition of ousted Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina would be dealt with in accordance with legal procedures, amid reports that she had applied for a new Bangladeshi passport and national identity card.

“Her (Hasina’s) extradition is a matter for the law and the judicial process. Further action on this will be taken in accordance with the law,” Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a weekly briefing in New Delhi.

Responding to repeated questions about Hasina’s reported bid to obtain travel documents to return to Bangladesh, Jaiswal said the matter was legal in nature.

Asked whether India had any role in facilitating her return as a Bangladeshi citizen, he said, “An individual needs valid travel documents to travel.”

He added that he would look into the technical aspects of the matter and provide further information later.

His comments followed a Reuters report on Monday that London-based law firm Matrix Chambers had written to Bangladesh’s acting High Commissioner in New Delhi, Preeti Rahman, on Hasina’s behalf, seeking a new passport and national identity card.

Hasina has been living in India since her government was toppled in a mass uprising in August 2024. Bangladesh has repeatedly urged New Delhi to extradite her to face trial.

In November last year, the International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Hasina to death in absentia for her alleged role in ordering a deadly crackdown on protesters during the uprising. She has denied the allegations.

Hasina told Reuters that she planned to return to Bangladesh and surrender to the court in December.

Meanwhile, Jaiswal said India had no fresh information beyond its previous statements on the Ganges water-sharing treaty.

Asked about a possible visit to India by BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, he said there was no information that could be confirmed at the moment.