Dhaka/New Delhi: In a major political development, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced her intention to return to Bangladesh from India in December 2026 to surrender before the domestic courts. Despite facing a death sentence and acknowledging active threats to her life, the 78-year-old leader confirmed that she remains resolute in her decision to head back to her home country.
During an hour-long telephonic interview with Reuters, Hasina stated that several senior Awami League leaders will accompany her to face the ongoing judicial proceedings. She had sought refuge in India following her departure on August 5, 2024, amid a violent student-led uprising and political coup. Subsequently, in November 2025, Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal sentenced her to death in absentia over casualties linked to the 2024 protests, charges which she has consistently denied.
Addressing the current interim and BNP government leadership’s persistent extradition demands from New Delhi, Hasina emphasized that she does not require formal deportation. She noted that she is prepared for arrest or any fatal consequences upon arrival, driven by the desire to stand by her party workers who are currently facing state repression. Among the high-profile leaders expected to return alongside her is former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who has also been handed a capital sentence by a Bangladeshi court.
Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has maintained a measured stance on the development. MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal previously indicated that New Delhi is officially reviewing the extradition request presented by Dhaka, while simultaneously expressing a commitment to constructive engagement and stable bilateral relations with the current Bangladeshi administration.
