South Asia

India extends Former PM Sheikh Hasina's visa amid extradition call by Dhaka

Published: 12:05, 8 January 2025

India has granted an extension to the visa of Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, following calls from Dhaka for her extradition.

The 77-year-old former leader left Bangladesh after stepping down amidst widespread protests. Since arriving at Hindon Airbase on August 5, she has reportedly been moved to a secure location in Delhi. On December 23, the interim government of Bangladesh, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, formally requested her extradition through an unsigned diplomatic note sent to India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
A source, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the visa extension, clarifying that it was issued to facilitate her stay in India. The source also dismissed speculation about asylum being granted to Sheikh Hasina, noting that India lacks a comprehensive legal framework for managing refugee or asylum-related matters.
The decision to extend Hasina's visa required approval from the Union Home Ministry and was processed through the local Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). Specific details regarding the extension were not disclosed.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s Department of Immigration and Passports recently announced the cancellation of passports for 97 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina.
Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, a spokesperson for interim government leader dr. Yunus, confirmed this development during a press briefing. “Passports of 22 individuals linked to enforced disappearances and 75 others, including Sheikh Hasina, accused of involvement in the July violence, have been revoked,” Majumder stated, as reported by Bangladesh’s state-run BSS news agency.
This comes in the wake of Bangladesh’s International Criminal Tribunal issuing a second arrest warrant for Hasina on January 6. The tribunal, established to prosecute those accused of genocide and crimes against humanity, continues to pursue cases against prominent figures, including the former prime minister.