Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi Receives Email Requesting New Passport for Sheikh Hasina

The Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi has received an email from London-based legal consultancy Matrix Chambers seeking new passports and national identity cards (NIDs) for ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

The mission confirmed receiving the email on Monday morning (9 November), saying it had promptly forwarded the matter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka for further instructions. However, diplomatic sources in Dhaka said the email did not include any authorisation document or evidence confirming that Hasina had approved the application.

According to the sources, such authorisation is generally required when a legal firm or another representative submits an application on behalf of an individual. A diplomatic source in New Delhi also confirmed receiving the email, saying the lawyer identified himself as Hasina's representative before requesting the issuance of new travel and identity documents.

The email reportedly stated that Hasina's existing Bangladeshi passport and NID had been cancelled by the interim government and other relevant authorities. It subsequently requested the High Commission to take the necessary steps to issue replacement documents.

Earlier, Reuters reported, citing a letter it had obtained, that Hasina had sought new passport and NID documents as part of preparations for a possible return to Bangladesh.

According to the news agency, the application marked her first reported formal contact with Bangladeshi authorities since she fled to India on 5 August 2024 amid the student-led uprising.

The reported application is being viewed as the strongest indication so far of Hasina's possible intention to return to Bangladesh, potentially in December.