Bangladesh (Commonwealth Union)_ Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has announced she will return to her country by December despite the prospect of being arrested, jailed or even facing threats to her life. Her plans come two years after she fled to India following the dramatic collapse of her government in August 2024 when a student-led uprising forced her out of power after 15 years in office. Before she puts her plans into action, Hasina is expected to make her first public appearance since leaving Bangladesh at an event in New Delhi. She is likely to explain her reasons for believing it is time to return and her plans for the future when speaking to the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia. Her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and former Bangladesh Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel are also expected to attend the event.
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Hasina’s return plans
Hasina has repeatedly said that her decision is driven by calls from her supporters in Bangladesh rather than by any outside pressure. In a recent interview, she admitted that she understands the risks waiting for her. She has openly acknowledged that she could be arrested, sent to prison, or even killed, but insists that she cannot ignore what she describes as the wishes of her people. Her return, however, is expected to trigger immediate legal action. Bangladesh’s Law Minister has already stated that if Hasina enters the country, she is likely to be arrested immediately before being presented before the courts. Officials in Dhaka argue that the law must be applied without exception.
Legal challenges awaiting Hasina
The legal challenges facing the former prime minister are serious. Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal handed down her death sentence after her trial in a crimes against humanity case related to the government’s response to the 2024 anti-government protests last year. Hasina has rejected the verdict, calling it political revenge in the guise of justice and saying the charges were designed to prevent her political comeback rather than to establish accountability. Additionally, Bangladesh’s current government, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, welcomed Hasina’s announcement, saying she should return and stand her trial through the country’s legal system.
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Government advisers have even challenged her to hire the world’s best lawyers, insisting that the judicial process will remain transparent, with proceedings open to observers and public scrutiny. They also note that the court can revisit or even overturn its earlier verdict if legal arguments support such a decision. Hasina’s return could change the political landscape in Bangladesh. She is no longer in power, but remains one of the country’s most powerful political figures and has a hard core of supporters. Her return could energize her party, the Awami League, and inspire supporters who feel the charges against her are politically motivated. But it could also deepen divisions between her supporters and opponents, raising political tensions in a country still struggling to recover from one of the most tumultuous periods in its recent history.
Charges against Hasina
The reasons for Hasina’s departure are still highly controversial. The United Nations estimated that around 1,400 people were killed during the government’s crackdown on student protesters in 2024. Human rights groups have criticised her government for cracking down on political opponents, extrajudicial killings, interference with democratic institutions and holding questionable elections. Hasina has repeatedly rejected the charges, saying investigations were conducted whenever allegations were made and those found guilty of offences were punished as required by law. She has also rejected claims that security forces used excessive force against protesters.
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India’s cautious stand
For India, Hasina’s planned return presents both diplomatic and strategic challenges. Since fleeing Dhaka, she has been living in India under protection, although reports suggest her exact location has remained confidential. Bangladesh has requested her extradition, but India has treated the matter legally rather than politically. New Delhi has maintained that its position has not changed and any extradition request will be processed through legal channels. The cautious stand of India reflects its larger interests in maintaining stable ties with Bangladesh. Bilateral ties have been slowly improving since the formation of the new government in Bangladesh after a period of uncertainty. New Delhi is expected to refrain from any move that might harm these improving ties while also making sure that its treatment of Hasina does not seem politically driven.
Hasina’s political future
If Hasina returns voluntarily, India could avoid the diplomatic complications associated with extradition. But her departure would also close a politically delicate chapter for New Delhi, which has been criticised by some for hosting the former leader while she was wanted in Bangladesh. Hasina’s decision to return could, in the end, be one of the most significant political events in Bangladesh since the 2024 uprising. Whether she goes to jail, is cleared by the courts, or comes back as a prominent political figure, her return will surely have a profound impact on the democratic trajectory of Bangladesh and will test the country’s judicial system. In the meantime, India will be watching intently, trying to maintain its diplomatic ties with Bangladesh while navigating the regional fallout from one of South Asia’s biggest political dramas.
