Sheikh Hasina Seeks New Passport to Return to Bangladesh
Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina requests a new passport and NID to return home in December 2026, despite being labeled a fugitive.
In a significant diplomatic development, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has formally requested a new passport and national identity card (NID) to facilitate her planned return to her home country. This move marks the first time Hasina has reached out to the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi since her sudden departure from Bangladesh in August 2024, following a violent uprising that ended her 15-year rule.
The Legal Request for Documentation
The formal communication was sent on Monday, November 9, 2026. Rather than contacting the mission directly, the request was submitted by her legal team from the London-based firm Matrix Chambers. Led by counsel Steven Powles KC, the lawyers addressed the letter to Preeti Rahman, the Acting High Commissioner of Bangladesh in New Delhi.
The legal team urged the mission to issue the documents expeditiously, stating that they are essential for her intended return to Bangladesh in December 2026. The request comes after the interim government previously cancelled her travel and identity documents. Her lawyers argue that the issuance of these documents is a matter of her fundamental rights as a Bangladeshi citizen and is aligned with international human rights obligations.
Plans for Surrender
According to aides close to the former Prime Minister, Hasina does not intend to evade the law upon her return. Instead, she plans to surrender before a court. While the intent is clear, an exact date for her arrival has not yet been finalized, as it depends entirely on whether the necessary formal documentation is provided.
Interim Government Hits Back
The request has been met with fierce opposition from the current administration in Dhaka. Humaiun Kobir, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs, wasted no time in dismissing the application. Kobir labeled Sheikh Hasina a "terrorist" and a "fugitive," making it clear that the government has no intention of facilitating her return through the issuance of travel papers.
The State Minister emphasized that the government's primary objective is her extradition, citing the existing bilateral treaty between India and Bangladesh, rather than granting her the documents she seeks.
A Precarious Legal Standing
The battle over the passport is set against a backdrop of severe legal charges. The Bangladeshi foreign and law ministries are currently reviewing the legal merits of the application, but the odds remain steep for the former leader.
In November 2025, a Bangladeshi war-crimes tribunal delivered a landmark judgment, sentencing Sheikh Hasina to death in absentia. This sentence was handed down due to her alleged role in the violent crackdown during the student-led protests of 2024, which eventually led to her downfall.