New Delhi: Bangladesh is preparing to approach Interpol to request the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been staying in India since leaving Dhaka in August after her government collapsed. The move comes as India has given strong signals that it is unlikely to hand her over.

Officials in Dhaka said they are completing the paperwork needed to seek Interpol assistance. The interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus has already announced that it wants Hasina to return and face what it calls judicial processes connected to recent cases, including a death sentence issued in absentia for alleged crimes during protests.

Bangladesh has also sent a formal communication to India citing the extradition treaty signed by the two countries in 2013. Under this treaty, either nation can request the return of a person facing criminal charges or a court verdict. Dhaka argues that the charges are serious and wants India to cooperate.

India has acknowledged receiving Bangladesh’s communication but has not made any commitment. Senior officials and legal experts in New Delhi say the treaty allows exceptions, including cases that are political in nature or where human rights concerns may arise. Sources familiar with the process say this makes it very unlikely that India will extradite the former prime minister.

Analysts note that India may consider Hasina’s situation politically sensitive, especially because the charges were made after a dramatic change in Bangladesh’s leadership. India is also expected to review the fact that Hasina was sentenced in absentia and could face the death penalty, which may raise human rights issues under international norms.

Bangladesh has said that refusing to send Hasina back would be seen as an unfriendly act, but at the same time it insists that diplomatic and economic cooperation with India will not be blocked. Dhaka says it expects fair cooperation from its neighbour on all issues, including the extradition request.

Hasina’s family has strongly rejected the charges. Her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, said the process against his mother lacks fairness and thanked India for giving her refuge. He also warned that sending her back would put her safety at risk.

The request to Interpol is expected to be submitted soon, but even if a notice is issued, India will still have the final say on whether Hasina can be extradited. For now, the matter remains a tense diplomatic issue between the two countries, with legal, political and humanitarian questions still unresolved.