Sheikh Hasina Death Penalty: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has convicted former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for 'crimes against humanity'. The tribunal has sentenced her to death. After Hasina was sentenced, Bangladesh's interim government has once again demanded her extradition from India. Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry has said that we want the Indian government to hand over Hasina to Bangladeshi authorities. According to the extradition treaty between the two countries, this is India's responsibility. Bangladesh has already sent several letters officially requesting the return of Sheikh Hasina. However, India has not responded to the applications. 

What will India do?

Now that Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death, everyone wants to know what India will do. The answer to the question is that even though Hasina has been sentenced to death, India is unlikely to extradite her. Under the 2013 India-Bangladesh Extradition Treaty, crimes like murder are extraditable, but political crimes are exempt. According to Article 8 of the treaty, extradition can be refused if the charges are not "in the interest of justice in good faith." The Modi government has long considered Hasina a close ally, and her exile status is being viewed as political asylum.

India responded

India's Ministry of External Affairs has responded to the death sentence against Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh. The Ministry stated that India has taken note of the verdict delivered by the International Criminal Tribunal of Bangladesh. The statement said that India, as a close neighbor, has always been committed to the interests of the people of Bangladesh. This includes maintaining peace, democracy, inclusiveness, and stability in that country. The Ministry of External Affairs also stated that India will continue to engage with all stakeholders in Bangladesh in a constructive and positive manner in the future.

What did Sheikh Hasina say?

Following the death sentence, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also reacted. Sheikh Hasina stated that the verdict was delivered by a rigged tribunal. Hasina stated that extremist elements within the interim government seek to eliminate her and the Awami League from politics, and that the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) is not an impartial court, run by a government that lacks a public mandate.

Islamic fundamentalists are active in Bangladesh

Sheikh Hasina said that under Yunus's rule, public services have collapsed. Hindus and other religious minorities are being attacked. Women's rights are being suppressed. Islamic fundamentalists within the administration are trying to undermine Bangladesh's long tradition of secular governance. She said that under Yunus's rule, Islamic fundamentalists are active with government protection. Journalists are being arrested, economic growth has stalled, and Yunus has deliberately postponed elections, excluding the country's oldest party from the electoral process.

What happened when?

By now, you've learned about Sheikh Hasina's death sentence, India's reaction, and Hasina's reaction. In the meantime, let's take a look at the events in Bangladesh in a chronological order. The downfall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina began with a student-led uprising in Bangladesh last year, forcing her to leave the country on August 5th. This set off a chain of events that ultimately led to her conviction and death sentence in absentia by the International Crimes Tribunal-Bangladesh (ICT-Bangladesh) on November 17, 2025. The following is a recount of the events that unfolded in the 15 turbulent months following Hasina's ouster, leading to her sentencing. 

August 5, 2024: Sheikh Hasina is ousted as Prime Minister following a widespread student-led uprising. She flees to India. 

August 8, 2024: An interim government is formed under the leadership of Muhammad Yunus. 

August 14, 2024: The interim government said it would prosecute those involved in the killings during the student movement at the International Crimes Tribunal-Bangladesh. 

October 2024: Interim government restructures ICT-Bangladesh. 

October 17, 2024: ICT-Bangladesh issues arrest warrants against ousted Prime Minister Hasina and 45 others, including top Awami League leaders, in connection with alleged crimes against humanity. 

November 2024: 3-member ICT-Bangladesh led by Golam Murtaza Majumdar orders investigators to complete their probe by December 2024. 

February 2025: A UN report estimates that around 1,400 people were killed during the protests. 

June 1, 2025: The trial officially begins. The prosecutor presents the case as coordinated and systematic violence against unarmed civilians. 

June 19, 2025: The ICT appoints former Supreme Court judge AY Moshi-uz-Zaman as amicus curiae to defend Hasina. 

July 2, 2025: Hasina was sentenced in absentia to 6 months' imprisonment for contempt of court. 

July 10, 2025: The ICT formally charges Hasina, former Home Minister Asad-uz-Zaman Khan Kamal and former police chief Chaudhry Abdullah al-Mamun on five counts of crimes against humanity, including mass killings. 

August 3, 2025: The tribunal begins trial in absentia against Hasina and two of her associates for alleged crimes against humanity. 

October 23, 2025: The tribunal concludes hearing the case. 

November 13, 2025: The tribunal fixed November 17 to deliver its verdict. 

November 17, 2025: ICT-Bangladesh convicts Hasina and former Home Minister Kamal in absentia for crimes against humanity and sentences them to death, while Mamun, who turned approver, is sentenced to 5 years in prison in the case.