 "Ever since her ouster from power, Sheikh Hasina has been lying low in India. She has reportedly been given residence in a safehouse in Delhi's Lutyen's area. File image/PTI")
Bangladesh’s ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed, has expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government for “saving his mother’s life” following a student uprising against the Hasina government.
Speaking to ANI, Wazed claimed that militants were “planning to kill” the Awami League leader. “India has always been a good friend. In the crisis, India has essentially saved my mother’s life. If she hadn’t left Bangladesh, the militants had planned on killing her. So, I am eternally grateful to Prime Minister Modi’s government for saving my mother’s life,” he said.
Earlier this week, Hasina was sentenced to death by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on the charges of incitement, ordering killings, and failing to prevent atrocities.
On extradition
Hasina continues to live in India at an undisclosed location. She fled to the country soon after her government was taken down in August 2024. Talking about her extradition to Bangladesh, Wazed said, “For an extradition to happen, the judicial process has to be followed. In Bangladesh, there is a government that’s unelected, unconstitutional and illegal. In order to convict my mother, they amended laws to fast-track her trial.”
He added, “My mother was not allowed to hire her defence attorneys. Her attorneys weren’t even allowed into the courts… 17 judges were terminated at the court before the trial, new judges appointed, some of whom had absolutely no experience on the bench and were politically connected.”
What has India said?
Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus and the foreign ministry have urged India to extradite Hasina after her conviction, citing an extradition agreement with India.
A statement from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said, “India remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including in peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in that country.”
“We will always engage constructively with all stakeholders to that end,” the statement added.