India has reportedly extended the visa of Sheikh Hasina, the ousted Prime Minister of Bangladesh, who has been residing in India since fleeing violent protests in August 2024.
The extension comes amidst growing pressure from Bangladesh's interim government, which has called for her extradition.
Contrary to rumors, Indian officials clarified that Hasina has not been granted asylum. They stressed that India does not have specific asylum laws, and the visa extension is a technical move to allow her continued stay. Hasina is reportedly living under heavy security at a safe house in Delhi.
The request for Hasina's extradition was made on December 23, 2024, by Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. Dhaka’s authorities have charged her with involvement in violence and disappearances during the 2024 protests.
Earlier this week, the interim government revoked Hasina’s passport, along with those of 96 others, accusing them of being involved in the violent uprising in July 2024, which resulted in many deaths and incidents of enforced disappearances. Among the revoked documents, 22 were linked to disappearances, while the remaining 75 were associated with the violence during the protests, including Hasina’s.
Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued an arrest warrant for Hasina and 11 other individuals for alleged involvement in these disappearances. The tribunal has set a deadline of February 12, 2025, for the apprehension of the accused.
ICT Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumder has underscored the necessity of a thorough investigation. The Inspector General of Police has been tasked with ensuring the arrest and presentation of the accused.
Since the fall of the Awami League government, over 60 complaints have been filed with the ICT, implicating Hasina, her allies, and law enforcement officials in severe crimes like genocide, enforced disappearances, and deaths.
The interim government has also submitted a preliminary report suggesting that Hasina, her associates, and possibly officials from India, were involved in these unlawful activities.