For Prelims: Extradition, International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), Extradition Act, 1962 (India), Full form of ICT, Date of Hasina's flight to India, Body that sentenced Hasina, Current context
For Mains: Extradition, International Crimes Tribunal, bilateral relations, prisoner transfer process, political asylum
Source:
The Hindu
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- Sheikh Hasina fled to India on August 5, 2024.
- Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) sentenced Hasina to death.
- Hasina sought a new passport from Bangladesh on November 9, 2026.
- Bangladesh seeks Hasina's extradition under a prisoner transfer process.
- Humayun Kabir is the acting foreign minister of Bangladesh.
Why in the news?
Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina has sought a new passport and national ID from Bangladesh. Bangladesh's acting foreign minister has stated the country seeks her extradition under an 'acceptable prisoner transfer process'. Hasina faces a death sentence from Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) for ordering the 2024 police crackdown on student protests.
Summary
- Sheikh Hasina fled to India on August 5, 2024, after a student-people uprising toppled her government in Bangladesh.
- She stands accused of ordering the police crackdown of July-August 2024, and Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has sentenced her to death for it.
- Bangladesh's acting foreign minister Humayun Kabir has said Bangladesh seeks her extradition under an 'acceptable prisoner transfer process'.
Highlights
Hasina seeks new passport and national ID
Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina applied for a new passport and national identity card from the Bangladesh government on November 9, 2026.
Death sentence by ICT
Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has sentenced Hasina to death for ordering the police crackdown during the July-August 2024 student protests.
Bangladesh seeks extradition
Acting Foreign Minister Humayun Kabir stated that Bangladesh seeks Hasina's extradition under an 'acceptable prisoner transfer process'.
Way Forward
The coming weeks will see diplomatic engagement between India and Bangladesh on the extradition request. India's decision will be based on legal provisions under the Extradition Act, 1962, and bilateral agreements. Hasina's refusal to apologise for the crackdown makes her political rehabilitation in Bangladesh difficult. The situation may lead to a prolonged legal battle and could further strain ties between the two neighbours.
Background GK
Textbook concepts you need to understand this news
- Extradition
- The formal process by which a state requests another state to surrender a person accused or convicted of a crime for trial or punishment. It is governed by bilateral treaties or multilateral conventions.
- International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)
- A domestic tribunal established by a country to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and other serious violations of international humanitarian law.
- Extradition Act, 1962 (India)
- The Indian law that governs the extradition of fugitive criminals from India to foreign states, based on treaties or reciprocal arrangements.
Facts to remember
Tap a card to see the answer. Try to recall it first.
How exams will ask this
- Data: Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh on August 5, 2024.
- Legal Point: Death sentence by Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT).
- Key Person: Humayun Kabir, Acting Foreign Minister of Bangladesh.
Don't make this mistake!
Examiners may confuse the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) of Bangladesh with the International Criminal Court (ICC) or other international tribunals. Remember: ICT is a domestic Bangladesh tribunal, not an international court.
Write these in mains answers
- Extradition, International Crimes Tribunal, bilateral relations, prisoner transfer process, political asylum
Stuck? Get it in one tap
Sheikh Hasina was the Prime Minister of Bangladesh until a student-led uprising forced her to flee to India in August 2024. Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal has sentenced her to death for ordering a police crackdown during the protests. She has now asked Bangladesh for a new passport, and Bangladesh wants her back through a legal process called extradition.
- Sheikh Hasina fled to India on August 5, 2024.
- Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) sentenced Hasina to death.
- Hasina sought a new passport from Bangladesh on November 9, 2026.
- Bangladesh seeks Hasina's extradition under a prisoner transfer process.
- Humayun Kabir is the acting foreign minister of Bangladesh.
- International Relations: India-Bangladesh relations
- Polity: Extradition and international law
Related concepts: Extradition, International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), Extradition Act, 1962 (India)
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which Indian law governs the extradition of fugitive criminals from India to foreign states?
Explanation: The Extradition Act, 1962 is the primary Indian legislation that governs the extradition of fugitive criminals from India to foreign states. It is based on bilateral treaties or reciprocal arrangements. The CrPC deals with criminal procedure, IPC defines crimes, and Passports Act regulates issuance of passports.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements regarding the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT):
- 1.The ICT is a domestic tribunal established by Bangladesh.
- 2.The ICT has sentenced Sheikh Hasina to life imprisonment.
- 3.The ICT prosecutes crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: ICT is a domestic tribunal of Bangladesh. Statement 2 is incorrect: the ICT sentenced Sheikh Hasina to death, not life imprisonment. Statement 3 is correct: ICT prosecutes serious violations of international humanitarian law including crimes against humanity and war crimes. Hence option C is correct.
- Q3Medium
On which date did Sheikh Hasina flee to India after the student-people uprising in Bangladesh?
Explanation: Sheikh Hasina came to India on August 5, 2024 after the student-people uprising toppled her government. July 15, 2024 is a date during the protests, September 1 is after her arrival, and November 9, 2026 is the date she sought a new passport, not her arrival date.
- Q4Medium
What is the primary legal challenge for India in responding to Bangladesh's extradition request for Sheikh Hasina?
Explanation: The death sentence complicates extradition because India typically seeks assurances against capital punishment or other legal guarantees before extraditing persons who may face the death penalty; extradition depends on legal and diplomatic processes under the Extradition Act, 1962 and any bilateral arrangements.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) of Bangladesh?
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) is a domestic tribunal established by Bangladesh to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and other serious violations of international humanitarian law.
2. What sentence did the ICT give to Sheikh Hasina?
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Dhaka sentenced Sheikh Hasina to death for ordering the police crackdown during the July-August 2024 student protests.
3. When did Sheikh Hasina flee to India?
Sheikh Hasina fled to India on August 5, 2024, after the student-people uprising toppled her government.
4. What is Bangladesh's position on Sheikh Hasina's return?
Bangladesh's acting foreign minister Humayun Kabir stated that Bangladesh seeks her extradition under an 'acceptable prisoner transfer process'.
All sources
- Original10 November 2026 · Read story
