Sheikh Hasina Verdict LIVE Updates: India Vows To 'Engage Constructively' Over Hasina's Death Penalty Ruling

India on Monday said it has “noted the verdict announced” against former ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by the Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh.

“As a close neighbour, India remains commited to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including in peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in that country. We will always engage constructively with all stakeholders to that end,” the statement said.

In her first direct reaction after the Crimes Tribunal (ICT) delivered its controversial verdict on Tuesday, announcing death sentence, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told News18, through text, that the judgement holds “no value, no legitimacy, and no acceptance among the people.”

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Muhammad Yunus-led Bangladesh on Monday demanded that India hand over ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina following her death sentence verdict, citing the countries’ Extradition Treaty.

“If any country gives shelter to these individuals convicted of crimes against humanity, it will be an extremely intolerant act and a disregard for justice… According to the extradition treaty existing between the two countries, this is also an obligatory duty for India,” Bangladesh’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

Sources close to former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday rejected the death sentence handed to her by the Crimes Tribunal, calling the ruling “fake, fabricated and one day justice.”

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Bangladesh Ex-PM first reaction after verdict.

On the Crimes Tribunal and the verdicts against her, ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina says, “The verdicts announced against me have been made by a rigged tribunal established and presided over by an unelected government with no democratic mandate. They are biased and politically motivated. In their distasteful call for the death penalty, they reveal the brazen and murderous intent of extremist figures within the interim government to remove Bangladesh’s last elected prime minister, and to nullify the Awami League as a political force.”

“I reject the ICT’s other allegations of human rights abuses as equally unevidenced. I am very proud of my government’s record on human rights and development. We led Bangladesh to join the Criminal Court in 2010, gave refuge to hundreds of thousands of Rohingya fleeing persecution in Myanmar, expanded access to electricity and education, and presided over a 450% GDP growth over 15 years, lifting millions out of poverty. These achievements are a matter of historical record. They are not the acts of a leadership unconcerned by human rights. And Dr Yunus and his vengeful cronies can claim no achievements that are remotely comparable.”

Awami League has declared a nationwide shutdown in Bangladesh tomorrow, following the verdict against Sheikh Hasina, urging supporters to observe the strike.

The Bangladesh ist Party (BNP) welcomed the tribunal’s verdict, describing it as a step toward justice. Shama Obaid, speaking to CNN News18, stated that facts and evidence were already clear, supported by a thorough UN fact-finding report.

She emphasised that everyone knows where the orders originated and highlighted the two months of bloodshed that plagued the country. Obaid stressed that Bangladesh needs closure, which can only occur when the families of victims find peace.

She added that Md Yunus did not need to fabricate anything, and accused the former Prime Minister of running a widespread criminal racket.

Sources close to Sheikh Hasina have strongly criticised the tribunal proceedings, calling them “fake, fabricated, and one-day justice.” They allege that no evidence exists on record and that they were summoned merely for evidence verification.

The sources warn that the country is being pushed towards complete radicalisation, claiming that Yunus is a puppet acting accordingly. They further allege that radicals, supported by terror groups, now hold significant influence in the nation.

Despite the verdict, the sources insist that Hasina will fight the ruling and eventually return to power, signalling continued political struggle ahead.

Sources close to Sheikh Hasina have dismissed the tribunal proceedings as “fake, fabricated, and one-day justice.” They claim no evidence is on record, express frustration at mere evidence verification, and warn that the country is being pushed towards complete radicalisation, questioning the legitimacy of the trial against the former Prime Minister.

Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister has been awarded the death sentence after a tribunal found her guilty of crimes against humanity, marking a historic and controversial verdict.

Sheikh Hasina has been found guilty on three counts: incitement, issuing unlawful orders, and authorising killings. Under Charge One, she faces life imprisonment, marking a landmark verdict in the case against the former Prime Minister.

The court found that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina committed crimes against humanity by ordering the use of drones, helicopters, and lethal weapons against protesting students.

Under Charge One, the court noted she failed in her responsibility to manage the situation and prevent violence. Evidence suggested that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) may also be culpable.

Daily meetings at the Home Minister’s residence reportedly directed the suppression of the student movement. Hasina allegedly issued instructions to a core committee to target protesters, while Awami League supporters actively harassed demonstrators. The court examined the IGP, who admitted involvement in the alleged acts.

Jahangir Kabir Nanak, former minister in Sheikh Hasina’s government, told CNN-News18 that the recent verdict was nothing more than a “judgement in a kangaroo court” and a “pre-determined” outcome.

Dismissing the ruling as “ridiculous” and “false,” he said Sheikh Hasina “does not care about such judgement.” Nanak added that the people of Bangladesh would reject what he called a “farcical, fabricated and deceitful” decision and “throw it into the Bay of Bengal.”

The charges brought before the tribunal span five counts detailing grave allegations against the accused.

Count 1 accuses them of murder, attempted murder, torture, and other inhumane acts, asserting that they abetted, incited, facilitated, and were complicit in crimes carried out against civilians by law enforcement personnel and Awami League–affiliated armed groups, while also failing to prevent these offences.

Count 2 alleges that they ordered the use of lethal weapons, helicopters, and drones to suppress student protesters, thereby bearing superior command responsibility and engaging in conspiracy and facilitation.

Count 3 concerns the killing of Begum Rokeya University student Abu Sayed on 16 July, which prosecutors say was carried out under their orders and encouragement.

Count 4 charges them with orchestrating the murder of six unarmed protesters in Chankharpul on 5 August.

Count 5 accuses the trio of shooting dead five protesters, injuring another, and burning bodies, implicating them through instigation, facilitation, and complicity.

The Chief Prosecutor called the Awami League a “fascist party,” accusing it of widespread torture and abduction of ordinary citizens during its rule.

The Chief Prosecutor, Mohammad Tajul Islam, told Bangladesh’s Crimes Tribunal (ICT) that Sheikh Hasina was the “mastermind and principal architect” behind the alleged atrocities committed during last year’s nationwide protests.

The tribunal completed hearings on 23 October after 28 working days, during which 54 witnesses detailed the state’s heavy-handed response to the student-led movement that ultimately toppled Hasina’s government on 5 August 2024.

Hasina fled Bangladesh the same day and has since been living in India, where former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal is also believed to be staying.

Dhaka’s police chief Sheikh Mohammad Sazzat Ali issued a “shoot-on-sight” order if anyone attempts to torch vehicles or hurl crude bombs.

The directive comes amid nearly 50 arson attacks and multiple crude bomb explosions reported nationwide in the past week, ahead of the expected verdict against ousted PM Sheikh Hasina in a crimes-against-humanity case linked to last year’s deadly uprising that ended her 15-year rule.

The five charges are: Delivering inciting statements, ordering the elimination of protestors using lethal weapons, shooting and killing Abu Saeed, a student of Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur.

Shooting and killing six protestors in the capital’s Chankharpul area and burning six people to death in Ashulia.