New Delhi, Nov 20 (NationPress) In response to Dhaka’s plea for the extradition of the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, her son, Sajeeb Wazed, expressed his heartfelt gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, stating that he is “eternally grateful” for his role in ensuring her safety and “saving my mother’s life.”

This statement arose after Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) due to alleged crimes against humanity associated with a brutal crackdown during protests led by students last year. Following an arrest warrant issued by the ICT for these charges, the interim government of Bangladesh has invoked the India–Bangladesh Extradition Treaty (2013) to seek her return.

In an interview with IANS, Sajeeb Wazed reiterated his gratitude for the support from India.

“I am eternally grateful to PM Modi. He has ensured my mother's safety and saved her life. He is also providing her with tight security. I extend my gratitude to the Government of India and the Indian populace,” he remarked.

Addressing the extradition request from Bangladesh, Wazed contended that the interim government lacks the necessary legal authority.

“For extradition to proceed, even under a treaty, there must be legal grounds. A legitimate government must exist, which is not the case here. Furthermore, due process must be adhered to, which has not occurred. Therefore, legally, India cannot extradite my mother. India has no obligations in this regard,” he explained to IANS.

When questioned about whether Prime Minister Modi had acted as a true statesman by resisting external pressure, Wazed affirmed, “Absolutely, he will not succumb to unconstitutional and illegal demands.”

Earlier this week, Hasina was condemned to death by the ICT for incitement, ordering killings, and failing to prevent atrocities.

On November 17, the former Prime Minister issued a statement claiming that the verdict was rendered by a “rigged tribunal” established by the unelected interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus, which she argued lacks a democratic mandate. She criticized the ruling as “biased” and “politically motivated.”

“Their grotesque call for the death penalty exposes the blatant and murderous intentions of extremist figures within the interim government to eliminate Bangladesh’s last elected prime minister and to obliterate the Awami League as a political presence,” her statement asserted.

“The millions of Bangladeshis suffering under the chaotic, violent, and socially regressive administration of Dr. Muhammad Yunus will not be deceived by this attempt to strip them of their democratic rights. They can see that the trials conducted by the so-called International Crimes Tribunal were never intended to bring about justice or provide genuine insight into the events of July and August 2025. Instead, their aim was to scapegoat the Awami League and shift the world’s attention away from the failures of Dr. Yunus and his ministers.”

On November 18, the Awami League also denounced the ICT’s ruling against the former Prime Minister, labeling it “malicious, retaliatory, and vengeful.”

In a press release dated November 17, the party sharply criticized the interim government.

“With deep anger and profound sorrow, we observe that instead of an elected government, the illegal, unconstitutional, unelected killer-fascist Yunus and his associates have unlawfully seized state power. They subsequently established an illegal tribunal in violation of internationally recognized principles governing the International Crimes Tribunal. This tribunal is entirely illegal, malicious, vindictive, and driven by vengeance,” the statement concluded.