Bangladesh Writes to India Formally Seeking Extradition of Former Home Minister 

Bangladesh has formally requested India to extradite former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said on Monday, adding that the request had been sent via diplomatic channels.

Speaking to reporters after attending a seminar in Dhaka, Shama Obaed said the government had recently sent the necessary extradition request concerning the former home minister, who remains a fugitive.

“Since he is a fugitive, we have given the letter that is required for his return. It has been sent recently, addressing only the former Home Minister,” she said.

The minister described the extradition as an ongoing process and said the government remained committed to implementing court rulings against convicted fugitives, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

“We will wait. We expect India will reply and will play its role in strengthening the relations between the two countries,” she said, adding that extradition requests are normally sent separately for each individual.

Earlier this week, Shama Obaed said Hasina, who is currently in India, would be arrested immediately if she returned to Bangladesh.

“Since she has been convicted, there is no scope for surrender. Whenever she comes to Bangladesh, she will be arrested. It will be done in accordance with the law,” she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

She added that Dhaka continued to pursue Hasina’s extradition through diplomatic channels and that the public expected court orders against convicted fugitives living abroad to be enforced.

“If she surrenders, the existing law will be followed. She will have to go to jail. The law will take its own course,” she said.

Shama Obaed also alleged that Hasina’s recent remarks from abroad appeared intended to encourage leaders and activists of the currently banned Awami League who had either gone into hiding or fled the country.

Bangladesh has formally requested Hasina’s extradition under the bilateral extradition treaty with India and says it is continuing diplomatic efforts to bring her back to face trial, though acknowledged that the process may take time.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with two other ministries, has been pursuing the matter since the current government took office in February, building on efforts initiated by the previous interim administration.

The BNP-led government claims that there is strong public support for Hasina’s extradition despite the Awami League continuing to wield a prominent support base even after its ban.

On April 8, Bangladesh renewed its extradition requests for both Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal after the International Crimes Tribunal gave them the capital punishment.

“We will continue to seek her extradition through a transparent judicial process. It has been discussed and will be dealt with through a transparent judicial process,” Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir told reporters in Dhaka.

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