The “Iron Lady” of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina — who once founded the very tribunal that now convicts her — has been sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). Many view the case as deeply biased. Hasina is currently living in exile in India. The severe sentence marks a dramatic turn: the court she helped establish to prosecute war criminals is now delivering the harshest possible verdict against her. This tribunal, originally formed to bring genocide, rape, torture, and other 1971 Liberation War crimes to justice, is now being called a “kangaroo court.” Critics argue that its original mission has been abandoned, and that it serves political ends. In the judgment, Hasina was convicted on multiple counts, including incitement to violence and failure to protect citizens during last year’s protest crackdown. The ruling came in her absence, and she has denounced the process as “rigged” and “politically motivated.” Her supporters say the tribunal’s purpose is no longer delivering justice, it is enforcing a vendetta.
Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal also received the same sentence, while Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, a former Inspector General of Police in Hasina’s government, was acquitted after turning prosecution witness. This verdict culminates a process that has appeared vindictive from day one. The ICT has historically included international judges and, in some cases, international prosecutors, but the tribunal, composed entirely of Bangladeshi judges, widely perceived as biased, meant the odds were always stacked against Hasina. From the appointment of a judge affiliated with the Bangladesh National Party (BNP), which welcomed the verdict, to the lack of a proper defense lawyer to represent Hasina, the three-month-long proceedings were rife with hostility from the Muhammad Yunus regime toward the ousted prime minister. The government-appointed defense lawyer reportedly did not seek any adjournments or call any witnesses. The caretaker government, which has hailed the verdict as “historic,” has disgraced itself with this travesty of justice, inviting accusations of shoddy governance. Had Sheikh Hasina been in Bangladesh, she would likely have been hanged or assassinated like her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
There is no doubt that the head of the caretaker government, Muhammad Yunus, has handed Bangladesh over to the fundamentalists. Yunus’ government is supported by Islamic fundamentalists who want to make Bangladesh an Islamic state. Secular progressive parties have been banned. Following the decision, the Yunus government has demanded the extradition of Sheikh Hasina from the Indian government. Yunus has launched his anti-India campaign. Sheikh Hasina has been a trusted partner for India for decades. No matter how delicate the matter becomes after the ICT decision, India will not send Sheikh Hasina back to Bangladesh. However, India has followed a very careful process on the entire issue. The Ministry of External Affairs has stated that it will engage in constructive dialogue with all parties. Sheikh Hasina has also denied all the allegations against her and called the decision biased and politically motivated. Sheikh Hasina has two options left: either surrender within 30 days or challenge the decision. If she does not surrender or is arrested, she will not have the right to appeal. Her only option now is to remain in India and hope that the Indian government does not extradite her to Bangladesh. India is currently closely monitoring the situation. Sheikh Hasina’s party continues to exert influence. The situation in Bangladesh is dire. Muhammad Yunus’s government is spewing venom against India to protect itself.
Recently, Muhammad Yunus released a map of Greater Bangladesh, showing India’s eastern states as part of his country. Furthermore, Bangladesh is currently sitting in Pakistan’s lap. Recently, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, the number two officer in the Pakistani Army and Chief of the Pakistan Navy, visited Dhaka. Several meetings have taken place between Pakistani and Bangladeshi military officials in recent months. Bangladesh is now openly using its territory against India. Many defense experts believe that Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, has become a base for the ISI. India would not want to end its long-standing relationship by suddenly sending them back into such an environment.
While there is an extradition treaty between India and Bangladesh, India could pursue several other options. The elections scheduled for February 2026 are no longer justifiable, but it is also possible that this decision could prove suicidal for the Yunus government, and the situation in Bangladesh could spiral out of control, leading to the overthrow of the Yunus government. India is facing another diplomatic test.
