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Sheikh Hasina Verdict: Many former Indian ambassadors have criticized the Bangladeshi court’s decision against Hasina. He said the International Crimes Tribunal is a kangaroo court.
18 Novemeber, 2025
Sheikh Hasina Verdict: Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death by the Tribunal Court of Bangladesh. Several former Indian ambassadors criticized the decision on Monday, saying the neighboring country was once again “deeply divided”, which did not bode well for its stability and security. Senior diplomat Veena Sikri, who was India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh from 2003-2006, asked whether the country’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) had the legal standing to try a former prime minister, as it was appointed only to prosecute those who committed war crimes in the 1971 Liberation War.
International Court called Kangaroo Court
Sikri alleged, “This is nothing but a kangaroo court.” Former ambassador Sikri said that ICT was appointed only for the trial of those who had committed war crimes in the 1971 war. He said, “Under which Act have you changed the purpose of ICT?” The basis on which Hasina’s trial has been conducted is “not correct at all, it is an illegal process.” Sikri also said that there were many “loops and shortcomings” in the investigation process. “ICT is not a tribunal to try any Prime Minister.” Sikri also said that the stability of the region can be ensured only when Bangladesh holds “free, fair, inclusive and credible elections”.
Hasina demanded trial in ICC
Hours after the verdict, Hasina said in a statement that she is not afraid to face her accusers in a proper tribunal where the evidence can be properly weighed and tested, so I have repeatedly challenged the interim government that “these allegations should be brought before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.”
‘India did the right thing’
Former diplomat Rajeev Dogra said India had “done the right thing” by granting asylum to Hasina as she was “an important leader under whose party Bangladesh’s democracy has always progressed.” She said that of course, there were some problems with the last part of Raj and she was on the way to “fix” them. When asked what strategic impact this development would have on the country, he said, “The impact will definitely not be very good.” He criticized “provocative” statements made earlier by Bangladesh Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus and several of his colleagues in the interim government in Dhaka that was formed after the fall of the Hasina government. Dogra said, “Having an unstable government in Bangladesh is definitely a matter of concern for India and the region.”
Hasina got death sentence
Hasina was sentenced to death by the ICTY on Monday, considering her crackdown on last year’s student protests a “crime against humanity”. In its verdict following a months-long trial, the ICT described the 78-year-old Awami League leader as the “mastermind” of the violent crackdown that left hundreds of protesters dead. It also sentenced former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death on similar charges. Hasina has been living in India since she was removed from the post of Prime Minister of Bangladesh following massive violent protests on August 5 last year.
Also read- Sheikh Hasina gets death sentence, convicted for killing protesters, tension in Bangladesh
