A special tribunal in Bangladesh has sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death, finding her guilty of crimes against humanity in connection with the brutal suppression of the 2024 student protests. The ruling, delivered by Judge Golam Mortuza Mozumder, holds Hasina responsible for orchestrating violence, ordering killings, and failing to stop atrocities that left hundreds dead.
The sentence follows serious charges including the use of helicopters and drones to fire on demonstrators, the murder of a student activist, incineration of bodies to destroy evidence, and coordinated attacks on protestors in multiple locations. Alongside Hasina, her former interior minister, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, also received a death sentence; a former top police official was handed a lighter sentence because of his cooperation with the tribunal.
In response to the verdict, Hasina strongly rejected all charges, calling the court a “rigged tribunal” and alleging political bias. Meanwhile, the interim government in Bangladesh, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, welcomed the decision, framing it as a reaffirmation that nobody is above the law.
Bangladesh has formally asked India to extradite Hasina and Khan, demanding that New Delhi honor its obligations under the existing bilateral extradition treaty. India, for its part, issued a cautious statement, saying it has “noted” the verdict and affirming that it remains committed to “the best interests of the people of Bangladesh,” including peace, democracy, inclusion, and stability.
Reactions have also come from within India’s political sphere. Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor criticized the death sentence, saying he opposes capital punishment under any circumstances, domestic or foreign.
On the international front, the United Nations described the verdict as “an important moment for victims,” but expressed regret over the imposition of the death penalty, reaffirming its opposition to capital punishment.
Looking ahead, the tribunal plans to seize Hasina’s properties if the verdict stands. The sentence can be appealed, but only if Hasina is arrested or returns voluntarily within 30 days. If she neither appears nor acknowledges the court’s summons, she may be declared a fugitive — which could lead to her passport being cancelled and an Interpol red notice being issued.
This verdict greatly intensifies the diplomatic and political tension between Bangladesh and India. With Hasina still in exile in New Delhi, the world now watches closely to see how New Delhi will handle the extradition request — a decision fraught with implications for regional stability.
