India grants an extension to Hasina's visa: HT

India has extended the visa of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina amid renewed calls for her extradition to Bangladesh, reports the Hindustan Times. Hasina fled Bangladesh on August 5 last year during a popular uprising against her Awami League government and has remained in India since. The extension of her visa was granted to facilitate her continued stay, according to sources familiar with the matter. They dismissed rumors of her being granted asylum, emphasizing that India lacks specific laws for refugees and asylum seekers. The visa extension process involved the Indian Home Ministry and was coordinated through the local Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), though details were not provided.

This extension comes in the wake of a request from Bangladesh's interim government for Hasina's extradition, conveyed via a note verbale to India's External Affairs Ministry on December 23. The development follows a recent arrest warrant issued by Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal on January 6 for Hasina, in connection with crimes such as enforced disappearances. The tribunal has ordered Bangladeshi police to arrest Hasina and 11 others and present them before the panel by February 12. Bangladesh’s National Independent Investigation Commission has also expressed interest in visiting India to "interrogate" Hasina regarding the 2009 killings of 74 people by the Bangladesh Rifles.

In India, these actions by Bangladesh are seen as part of an effort by certain factions in the interim government to pressure India for Hasina's extradition.