Dhaka: Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain today said that Bangladesh has not yet received any positive response from India regarding its formal request to extradite ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to face trial in the country. ‘There is no new information. Bangladesh has asked India to return Sheikh Hasina to face trial, but there has no positive response yet,’ the adviser told reporters at the Foreign Service Academy.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Adviser Hossain stated that the government is awaiting a response from New Delhi and reaffirmed that legal proceedings against the former premier have already commenced in her absence. ‘The trial is going on. Whether someone appears or not, the judicial process does not stop,’ he added.
Hasina left the country on August 5 last year amid a widespread student-led uprising. In response to a question about whether the government would seek international assistance to secure Hasina’s extradition, Adviser Hossain said such measures could be considered if necessary, but he does not see any immediate need at the moment.
Bangladesh had earlier sent a diplomatic note (note verbale) to India in December last year with relevant documents and formally requested India for the return of the ousted Prime Minister to face trial.