India says travel document needed for Sheikh Hasina's extradition as Bangladesh refuses passport
Bangladesh said it will not issue a passport to deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, while India’s foreign ministry stated that a travel document is required for her possible extradition.
Bangladesh’s acting foreign minister, Humayun Kabir, reiterated on November 9 that Dhaka will not provide a passport to deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and will seek her return through an "acceptable prisoner exchange" under the 2013 India-Bangladesh extradition treaty. The following day, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said a "travel document" is necessary for any international movement, describing the passport requirement as a technical issue.
"Extradition of former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina is a legal matter and it will be dealt with accordingly," ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, adding that "obviously, for the travel of people, you need a travel document."
Bangladeshi officials indicated that either a Bangladeshi passport or an Emergency Certificate confirming citizenship could satisfy the travel-document requirement. A London-based law firm representing Hasana has reportedly requested a new passport and national identity document from the Bangladesh government.
The situation comes amid heightened law-and-order concerns in Bangladesh, with opposition parties accusing the government of failing to contain violence, looting and arson. Opposition leader Shafiqur Rahman claimed that multiple explosions have occurred in Dhaka, including at the Army Golf Club and Dhaka University, injuring two people.