The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued a second arrest warrant against former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on charges of enforced disappearances. Reacting to this development, Veena Sikri, a former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, has questioned the credibility and evidence behind these allegations. She emphasized the importance of presenting substantial proof regarding the claims.
In an interview with the Indian news agency ANI on Tuesday, the former diplomat stated that the United Nations Human Rights Commission has not found credible evidence related to these allegations.
She said, “A second arrest warrant has been issued against Sheikh Hasina. This warrant is for allegations of enforced disappearances… If we talk about the first arrest warrant, it was related to so-called genocide allegations. However, no data or evidence was presented. In July-August, the UN Human Rights Commission was asked for a report on the alleged victims. They said no evidence was provided to them… Is there an FIR? What does the FIR say? What evidence is there? There is nothing….”
Veena Sikri added, “A request for extradition is a lengthy legal process. You need to provide proof of the allegations being made… None of this has been done. Now, you are merely attaching names to the enforced disappearances. The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), which is accused of these incidents, was formed during Begum Khaleda Zia’s regime. Since then, accusations have been made against the force for abductions and enforced disappearances. It has been a political issue ever since. However, suddenly filing cases against 12 people, I don’t think these cases hold much significance.”
On Monday, the International Crimes Tribunal issued an arrest warrant against 11 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in India. The list also includes former Defense Advisor retired Major General Tariq Ahmed Siddique, former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, and dismissed Major General Ziaul Ahsan.
The prosecutor of the tribunal stated that over the past 15 years, a culture of fear was established in Bangladesh through disappearances and extrajudicial killings. Thousands of individuals were reportedly abducted by plainclothes or uniformed forces, many of whom never returned. Some who did return were shown as detained in specific cases, while others were released from secret detention centers following the end of authoritarian rule.
On August 5, Sheikh Hasina fled to India amidst student and public protests. Since then, she has been residing in India. Although Bangladesh has requested her extradition, India has yet to respond to the request.