Hasina Staying With Daughter, Seen Walking In Delhi Park

After being ousted from the Prime Minister's office amid mass protests, Sheikh Hasina fled to India on August 5. Since then, she has been residing in India, though her exact location remains unknown. Meanwhile, the Indian government has remained silent on the issue. However, British media outlet Financial Times has reported that she is staying in New Delhi with her daughter and has even been seen visiting one of Delhi's upscale parks, Lodi Garden, with her entourage.

In a report published on September 18, the media outlet stated that since the protests forced the authoritarian leader to flee, discussions at dinner parties in New Delhi have revolved around the question: Where is Sheikh Hasina now?

On August 5, as protesters marched toward her residence in Dhaka, Hasina resigned and was flown to a military base near Ghaziabad, India, in a Bangladeshi military aircraft. The Indian government has confirmed that she is indeed in India but has consistently refused to provide further details about her situation.

Despite acknowledging her escape, the Indian government has maintained silence on her exact whereabouts and other matters. Domestic and foreign media in Delhi have largely stopped claiming that they will secure an exclusive interview with Hasina in the aftermath of her ousting.

Several factors contribute to this situation. The interim government, led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, which came to power after Hasina's fall, has blamed her for the deaths of hundreds during protests in July and August. Additionally, there is an extradition treaty between India and Bangladesh, signed during Hasina's own administration in 2013, which could theoretically be used against her if the new government wishes to apprehend her.

Asif Nazrul, the legal and parliamentary affairs advisor of Bangladesh's interim government, told the Financial Times that, under the signed extradition treaty with India, they could request her return to Bangladesh. For now, they hope India will not allow her to instigate instability in Bangladesh as she attempts to spread false information.

Moreover, Dr. Yunus himself has stated that if India wishes to keep Hasina, there will be conditions—specifically, she must remain silent until she is returned to Bangladesh.