Fugitive and convicted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has not personally submitted any direct application for a new passport or National Identity Card (NID), according to official clarification from the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.
Saidur Rahman, Press Minister at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, confirmed the matter to a private news outlet on Monday (November 9).
The Press Minister stated that a London-based legal advisory firm, Matrix Chambers, submitted an application on behalf of Sheikh Hasina. However, no specific or reliable evidence of authorization was provided to verify that the request was directly authorized by Sheikh Hasina herself. Consequently, the High Commission regards the submitted application as completely defective and incomplete.
The clarification follows an international report by Reuters claiming that Sheikh Hasina, who faces convictions for crimes against humanity, had applied for a new passport and NID through her lawyers at the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi with the intention of returning to the country.
The Reuters report triggered widespread diplomatic and legal discussion within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and government circles in Dhaka.
Addressing the matter at a press briefing, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed noted that he had seen reports regarding the fugitive suspect's application on television ticker news. However, the government and the Ministry of Home Affairs could not immediately confirm its official authenticity. Relevant authorities have been instructed to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed further clarified that the Ministry of Law and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have initiated a joint review to determine the legal validity of the application submitted in Sheikh Hasina’s name.
He explained that authorities are examining existing legal frameworks to determine whether a fugitive convicted by a court holds any legal entitlement or right to obtain a new NID or passport at this stage. The government will finalize its diplomatic and legal stance following comprehensive assessments by the respective ministries.
The administration led by Sheikh Hasina collapsed in August 2024 following an unprecedented mass uprising. Facing intense student-led public protests, she resigned and fled to India to seek refuge. Subsequently, all political activities of her party, the Bangladesh Awami League, were legally banned in Bangladesh. Against this complex backdrop, reports of her attempt to secure a new passport and return to the country have generated fresh political friction.
While the Reuters report claimed that Sheikh Hasina intends to return to Bangladesh to surrender before the court—and sources within the Awami League indicated a return date would be announced upon completing legal procedures—the Bangladesh government reiterated its position. Official channels emphasized that formal diplomatic procedures are already underway to extradite Sheikh Hasina under the existing bilateral extradition treaty between India and Bangladesh to face trial.