Bangladesh’s interim government has called on India to cancel the passport of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This request comes amid reports suggesting she received an extension on her visa. Hasina, an Awami League leader, fled to India last August following the downfall of her government, which was toppled by widespread protests.

Why did Sheikh Hasina flee Bangladesh?

Since she fled Dhaka, Hasina has reportedly been living in India on a residence permit. Her government's collapse and her subsequent flight followed protests that had caused severe political upheaval in Bangladesh. The interim government later confirmed that it had canceled the passports of Hasina and 96 others. Officials said 22 of these were associated with enforced disappearances, while 75 were associated with violence that took place in July.

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) of Bangladesh issued an arrest warrant against Sheikh Hasina and 11 others. Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Mohammad Rafiqul Alam stressed that if a passport has been canceled, then the entire issue of obtaining a visa has lost its legal standing. "If a passport is canceled, the issue of a visa no longer exists," Alam said as notifications have gone to Bangladesh's diplomatic missions in every corner of the world.

India's response to visa extension

According to reports, India extended Hasina's visa on a technicality earlier this week. However, former Additional Solicitor General of India Vikas Singh dismissed speculation about Hasina seeking asylum in India. "An individual cannot be extradited for a political crime, and New Delhi cannot extradite individuals accused of such crimes," Singh explained.

He further noted that the International Criminal Tribunal in Bangladesh operates under domestic laws that acknowledge certain international crimes. Singh clarified that for the arrest warrant to be enforced, an extradition process from India would be necessary.