'She is a convicted criminal': Bangladesh renews push to bring Hasina back from India

Speaking to reporters, the minister said that the government was pursuing all necessary legal measures against Hasina in accordance with due process, Prothom Alo reported.

"Whatever legal measures are required regarding Sheikh Hasina, we are executing them through due process," he said.

"We will deal with the matter in accordance with the law. You will see that when we take any action, there will be no question of emotion. The point is that I will apply the law," the minister added.

Asked whether Bangladesh would pursue a legal battle in an Indian court to secure Hasina's return, Asaduzzaman said the matter depended on the Indian government.

"That is a matter for the Indian government. We have made a request to them under the prisoner exchange agreement. If they hand her over to us, we will follow due process and bring her under the law as required," he said.

Taking a further swipe at Hasina, the minister said: "To me, she is a criminal. She is a convicted criminal under a verdict by our tribunal—that is her identity to us. What they (India) say is not the deciding factor. She was tried in an open court in our country."

Hasina, Bangladesh's longest-serving prime minister, fled to India on August 5, 2024, amid widespread anti-reservation protests against her government.

In November 2025, she was convicted by Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal in a crimes against humanity case linked to the July-August 2024 uprising.

The tribunal sentenced her to death.