The government has reaffirmed its intention to bring ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina back from India to face legal proceedings, with a senior adviser saying the administration remains committed to pursuing her extradition through official channels.
Speaking at the weekly government briefing at the Secretariat on Tuesday, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information and Broadcasting Dr Zahed Ur Rahman said the authorities had been working since taking office to secure Sheikh Hasina’s return.
“We have been trying from the beginning to bring her back. If she returns, we will welcome her because we want to ensure justice,” he told reporters.
Dr Zahed said Bangladesh had formally requested India to extradite the ousted PM and maintained that any legal action against her would be handled through the country’s judicial system.
He highlighted that the government’s objective was to place Sheikh Hasina under the jurisdiction of the courts rather than influence the outcome of any proceedings.
Responding to questions about restrictions on broadcasting the former prime minister’s public statements, the adviser said the measure was not a government policy but a directive issued by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT).
He said the administration was constitutionally obliged to comply with court orders.
According to Dr Zahed, if Sheikh Hasina were returned to Bangladesh through the extradition process, she would face the cases currently pending against her.
He added that she would be entitled to a transparent trial and would have full opportunities to defend herself.
“There is now scope for engaging foreign lawyers in the International Crimes Tribunal,” he said, adding that international observers could monitor proceedings and that video recording facilities were available to help ensure transparency.
The adviser also said the government believed the courts should determine the outcome of the cases independently.
“We believe she has caused immense damage to the state, yet we still want her to receive justice through due process,” he continued.
When asked whether her return could create wider geopolitical tensions, Dr Zahed mentioned that he did not believe the issue would have significant international implications.
He also argued that Sheikh Hasina no longer had a political future in Bangladesh and said there was no reason for the government to feel under pressure if she returned.
Referring to comments made by the State Minister for Foreign Affairs a day earlier, Dr Zahed stated that the current administration had, like the previous interim government, formally sought her extradition from India.
Explaining how such a process might take place, he further said that the practical arrangements would depend on discussions between Bangladesh and India.
“I do not know exactly how or when she will return because that depends on procedures between the two states,” he said.
“If she wishes to return, the country where she is staying will communicate with our government and the necessary arrangements will be made,” he added.
He mentioned again that procedural matters would not stand in the way of the government’s objective, which remains to bring Sheikh Hasina back to Bangladesh so that the legal process can proceed through the courts.
The adviser reiterated that, should the former prime minister return, the government would facilitate the process in accordance with the law while leaving judicial decisions to the country’s independent legal institutions.
.jpg "PM may reshuffle ministers, appoint advisers: Zahed")
