No legal scope for Sheikh Hasina retrial, even at India's request: chief prosecutor
At a glance
- The ICT chief prosecutor says Sheikh Hasina cannot be retried because her trial is complete.
- He said a request from India or any other country would not change that.
- Several Indian outlets report India wants security and fair-trial guarantees before any extradition.
There is no legal scope for a retrial of Sheikh Hasina, the chief prosecutor of Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) said on Sunday, 15 November. Once a trial is complete, he said, the law does not allow a fresh trial at the request of India or any other country. His remarks came after several Indian outlets reported that India wants guarantees of security and a fair trial before handing the former prime minister back.
Priyo News 24 compared reports from Prothom Alo, The Daily Star, The Business Standard, bdnews24.com, Ittefaq, Kaler Kantho and several Indian and international outlets. Only facts that appeared in at least two separate outlets are included.
What the chief prosecutor said
Nearly every major Bangladeshi outlet reported two main points:
- Sheikh Hasina's trial at the tribunal is over and the verdict has been given, so there is no legal scope to try her a second time on the same charges.
- A request from a foreign state, including India, would not change that position.
Ittefaq and Nagorik reported that he also questioned how India could raise the idea of a retrial. The Daily Star described his remarks as rejecting suggestions of a retrial.
What is being reported about India's position
India Blooms, Free Press Journal, Dainik Jagran English and other Indian outlets, citing a report, said India wants two assurances before Sheikh Hasina returns to Bangladesh: her security and a fair trial. A Kashmir Reader headline also spoke of a fresh trial.
However, none of these reports says the Indian government has publicly announced such conditions. On 13 November India's Ministry of External Affairs said extradition is a legal matter and will be considered as such. On 14 November, Malaysia's The Star also reported that Delhi was sticking to the legal route.
Earlier statements on appeal and the sentence
On 10-11 November the prosecution and the government said Sheikh Hasina cannot now appeal against the verdict, as reported by Business Standard (India) and ETV Bharat. Prothom Alo's English edition quoted the chief prosecutor as saying there is no alternative to carrying out the death sentence.
On 14 November Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman said Bangladesh had completed the legal process needed for her return and the decision now rests with India.
Timeline
- 5 August 2024: Sheikh Hasina resigned amid a mass uprising and left for India.
- November 2025: The International Crimes Tribunal sentenced her to death in absentia for crimes against humanity over the crackdown on the July-August protests. She rejects the charges and the trial.
- 13-14 November 2026: India said the matter is legal; Bangladesh's law minister said the legal steps were complete.
- 15 November 2026: After reports of India's conditions, the chief prosecutor ruled out a retrial.
What happens next
The final decision on extradition rests with India. If India states any conditions or a decision officially, or if there is new information on talks between the two countries, Priyo News 24 will update this report. The reports did not carry a separate response from Sheikh Hasina's side to the chief prosecutor's remarks.
Sources
Prothom Alo, The Daily Star, The Business Standard, bdnews24.com, Ittefaq, Kaler Kantho, India Blooms, Free Press Journal and The Star.
FAQ
Can Sheikh Hasina be retried?
On 15 November the chief prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal said there is no legal scope for a retrial because the trial has been completed, even if India or another country asks for one.
Has India asked for a retrial of Sheikh Hasina?
Several Indian outlets, citing a report, said India wants guarantees of her security and a fair trial before any return. Publicly, India's Ministry of External Affairs has only said extradition is a legal matter and will be handled as one.
Can Sheikh Hasina appeal her sentence?
According to the government and the prosecution, the relevant law gives her no right of appeal now. Sheikh Hasina has rejected the charges and the trial from the start.
What sentence did Sheikh Hasina receive?
In November 2025 the International Crimes Tribunal sentenced her to death in absentia for crimes against humanity over the crackdown on the July-August 2024 protests. She has been in India since 5 August 2024.
Comments
No comments yet — be the first to comment.