The government does not attach any importance to the reported application submitted by lawyer of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, seeking a National Identity Card (NID) and passport for her, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said on Monday.
Speaking to journalists at the foreign ministry, Kobir said anyone could send an application to the high commission, but that did not make it legally or administratively significant.
“Anybody can write anything to the high commission. I can also write something to the high commission. It has no value,” he said.
The state minister described such applications as not unusual but questioned their legal, ethical and moral basis.
“It’s normal, but the basis of it is very weak from a legal point of view, an ethical point of view and a moral point of view,” he said.
Hasina fled to India in August 2024 following the fall of her government amid a mass uprising.
Dhaka insists on extradition
Kobir reiterated that Bangladesh wants India to hand over Hasina through the formal extradition process, saying the government would pursue the matter under the existing extradition treaty between the two countries.
“We want her to be handed over, and that’s it,” he said.
He added that countries followed different procedures when transferring convicted individuals, but Bangladesh wanted Hasina returned through extradition.
Questioning why Hasina, who fled the country, would expect to return through any other arrangement, Kobir said the extradition treaty provided the formal mechanism.
“If she wants to come, she can tell India to hand her over through the extradition treaty,” he said.
The state minister also described Hasina, her family members and other senior Awami League leaders as absconders.
Minister calls Hasina a ‘terrorist’
Kobir made strong allegations against the former prime minister, calling her a “terrorist” and accusing her of being responsible for the deaths of thousands of people during her years in power.
“She is a terrorist, and she will be brought back through extradition,” he said.
He rejected any suggestion that Hasina should be treated as an ordinary traveller, saying she had been sentenced to death following a public trial.
“This is not a kangaroo court. The trial took place based on evidence,” he said.
The state minister also criticised lawyers representing Hasina, urging them not to pursue her interests for financial gain.
“Don’t run after her stinky money, her looted money from the people of Bangladesh. Exercise some ethical and moral bounds,” he said.
