Dhaka: Bangladesh’s interim administration has formally sent a letter to India seeking the extradition of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who was recently sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal, a senior adviser said on Sunday.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain told state-run BSS that the “official letter” was dispatched “the day before yesterday”, without disclosing further details. According to an official at the foreign ministry, the note verbale was routed through the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.

On November 17, the ICT-BD handed down the death penalty to Hasina, 78, and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal after trying them in absentia on charges of crimes against humanity. Hasina is currently in India, while Kamal is also believed to be hiding there.

Hasina’s Awami League government was ousted on August 5 last year following student-led protests known as the “July Uprising”. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took charge as chief adviser of the interim government three days later at the invitation of the protesting students.

The charges against Hasina relate to the alleged brutal crackdown on protestors. A UN human rights report earlier estimated that about 1,400 people were killed between July 15 and August 15 last year.

Bangladesh had previously sent a diplomatic note in December last year requesting Hasina’s extradition, to which India only acknowledged receipt without comment, reported PTI.

After the verdict against Hasina, the External Affairs Ministry issued a statement saying India has noted the verdict..."

As a close neighbour, India remains committed 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.