Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s continued residence in India, since her government’s collapse last year, is legally underpinned by a New Delhi residence permit. This permit provides a crucial safeguard for her long-term stay, even as Dhaka seeks her extradition following a death sentence for suppressing student protests. India’s response to the extradition request remains measured, with no defined end date set for Hasina’s stay in the Indian capital. Her arrival in India followed the swift downfall of her administration, triggered by widespread student-led demonstrations that paralyzed public life. Facing insurmountable pressure, she resigned and departed for India with her sister. While India acknowledged the tribunal’s verdict, its official stance emphasized regional peace, democracy, and stability, avoiding direct commentary on the extradition. The Ministry of External Affairs indicated ongoing dialogue with all stakeholders, underscoring a careful diplomatic approach. Despite formal extradition requests submitted in December, India has not acted upon them, maintaining its deliberate pace in addressing the situation. Hasina’s diplomatic passport was revoked in December, but this did not impact her legal standing in India. Her visa was later extended on technical grounds, effectively serving as an independent residence permit. She is residing in a secure government-provided accommodation in New Delhi, with assurances of continued stay as long as she desires. While not officially termed political asylum, her situation shares similarities, with India leveraging diplomatic nuances and its extradition treaty, which permits refusal of requests involving political cases or death penalties. The ultimate duration of her stay hinges on India’s final decision regarding the extradition request.
