Want Sheikh Hasina to return home and stand trial: home minister

Dhaka has written New Delhi several times to send her back, he says

The Bangladesh government is trying to bring former prime minister and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina back from India through legal processes, says Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed.

Addressing a discussion organised by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum at the Secretariat on Sunday, he said: "We have written to the Indian government several times to send her back. We want her to face trial."

On May 21, Salahuddin said the government wants to bring back the deposed leader to Bangladesh through legal procedures and existing extradition mechanisms.

In a recent interview with an Indian newspaper, Hasina said she will return to the country “very soon”, linking her comeback to what she described as the restoration of a democratic environment and political rights.

Regarding the murder of child Ramisa Akter in Mirpur, Salahuddin said the charge-sheet in the case will submitted on Sunday.

"Whatever is necessary is being done to ensure the maximum punishment for the suspect. We hope that the trial will be concluded very soon," said the minister.

He pushed for a social movement to eliminate such crimes from society.

Regarding the changes to images on passports and the taka, Salahuddin said: "The previous fascist government used them for personal gain. These are being changed. They will be replaced with images of nationally important landmarks and Liberation War heroes."

According to him, the current government has taken a strict stance on gambling – both online and in person.

The minister said a new law will be adopted on the matter by amending the existing one.