Sheikh Hasina's lawyers ask Bangladesh's Delhi mission for a new passport and ID card

Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina has asked Bangladesh's high commission in New Delhi for a new passport and national identity card, her lawyers' letter on Monday, 9 November, shows, per Hindustan Times and Outlook. This piece is as of the evening of 9 November. Hasina denies the allegations against her, per Republic World.

The request

Hasina, 79, confirmed to Hindustan Times that her London-based lawyers, Matrix Chambers, wrote to Preeti Rahman, the acting high commissioner, and shared a copy of the emailed letter. The lawyers cited the "reported revocation" of her Bangladeshi passport and identity card by the interim government and other authorities, and her Bangladeshi nationality and human rights obligations (Outlook). Hindustan Times calls it her clearest step yet towards returning from self-exile in India in December. Outlook says her aides said the return date would be announced once formalities were complete, and that she has said she intends to surrender before a court. Outlook adds that the application does not establish that she has secured permission to travel. Outlook, citing Reuters, says the acting high commissioner had not immediately responded to requests for comment.

The legal background

Hasina has lived in India since her government was ousted in a student-led uprising in August 2024, per Hindustan Times. Republic World reports that Bangladesh's war-crimes court sentenced her to death in absentia in November 2025 over the crackdown on the uprising; she has denied the allegations.

Dhaka's position

Bangladesh's state minister for foreign affairs, Humaiun Kobir, told reporters that Hasina should be extradited rather than issued travel documents, according to The Daily Star as cited by India Today; Outlook dates his remarks to 5 November, before the letter was sent. "She will be handed over," he said, pointing to the active extradition treaty between Bangladesh and India. Outlook and India Today both cite Reuters for the letter; Hindustan Times reports it from Hasina herself.