Is Sheikh Hasina In ‘Safe House’ In India?

New Delhi: A day after former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India after she was forced to resign, there have been speculation about her seeking political asylum in the United Kingdom. But, where is Hasina currently?

The plane that flew her to Ghaziabad’s Hindon air base in India reportedly took off without her.

According to media reports, the C-130 J transport aircraft took off from the Hindon air base around 9 am on Tuesday. It was carrying seven military personnel in it towards its base in Bangladesh, a Hindustan Times report claimed.

What happened to her in India?

After landing in India, reports claim that she taken to a safe house. Reports claimed that she is still at the ‘safe house’. She is in “protective custody” of Indian intelligence services, claimed a NDTV World report.

She had landed at the airport at 5.15 pm on Monday. Thereafter, reports claimed that she met India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. During her interaction with Doval, senior military and intelligence officers were also present, reports stated. Hasina’s daughter, Saima Wazed, is based in New Delhi and works as the regional chief for the World Health Organisation.

Unconfirmed sources stated that India had granted permission for an ‘interim stay’, during which she will get comprehensive logistical support, but the nod was only for temporary stay, according to a report on Bangladeshi publication, Daily Sun .

Speaking in Rajya Sabha on the situation in Bangladesh, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said, “…On 5th August, demonstrators converged in Dhaka despite the curfew. Our understanding is that after a meeting with leaders of the security establishment, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina apparently made the decision to resign. At very short notice, she requested approval to come for the moment to India. We simultaneously received a request for flight clearance from Bangladesh authorities. She arrived yesterday evening in Delhi.”

Hasina seeking political asylum in UK

Sheikh Hasina is expected to fly to London and seek political asylum there. Reportedly, she is in touch with the authorities in the UK regarding the same. But, British immigration rules do not allow individuals to travel to that country to seek asylum or temporary refuge, the UK Home Office told NDTV on Tuesday. The UK government—headed by Keir Starmer—reportedly said individuals seeking asylum must do so “in the first safe country they reach”.

What happened after she fled Bangladesh?

A new ‘interim government’- most likely, by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus – is believed to be taking shape in the violence-hit country. President Mohammed Shahabuddin ordered the release of former PM Khaleda Zia, who was jailed after being convicted of corruption.

Bangladesh president dissolves Parliament

Bangladesh’s President also dissolved the country’s Parliament on Tuesday, after the same was demanded by student protesters, who led demonstrations that forced Sheikh Hasina to resign and flee from the country.