He says authorities are examining its legal basis, while state minister for foreign affairs rules out a normal passport application for fugitives
The reported application by ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina for a new passport and national identity card (NID) has yet to be verified, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Monday.
He said the ministries of foreign affairs and law were examining the matter to determine whether the application had a legal basis and whether Hasina was entitled to apply for the documents.
Speaking to journalists at the Secretariat, the home minister said he had also heard reports that Hasina, whom he described as a fugitive convicted offender, had applied for a passport and NID.
"I have also heard about it and seen it on news tickers, but I have not yet been able to verify its authenticity," he said.
Salahuddin said the authorities would examine whether the application had been properly submitted and whether she had the legal right to make such a request.
The review would consider the relevant provisions of the Passport Act, Citizenship Act and National Identity Registration Act, he added.
Meanwhile, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said a normal passport application would not be effective in the case of fugitives.
At a press conference on Monday, he said Hasina would be brought back to Bangladesh through legal and diplomatic processes under the extradition treaty to face justice.
"Bangladesh does not issue passports to terrorists. Rather, it wants to bring them back under the extradition treaty and enforce their sentences," he said.
Hasina fled to India on 5 August, 2024, following the July mass uprising. Reuters reported earlier on Monday that she had applied for a new passport and NID as part of plans to return to Bangladesh in December.