The government is examining reports that former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has applied for a passport and a national identity card (NID) in New Delhi, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Monday.
“The authenticity of the reports has not yet been verified. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Law are looking into the matter,” he told reporters at the secretariat.
Asked about reports in international media that Hasina, a fugitive convicted of crimes, had applied for the documents, the minister said the two ministries were examining the matter.
He said the authorities would assess the legal basis of the applications, whether they had been submitted properly and whether Hasina was legally eligible to obtain the documents.
Relevant provisions of the Passport Act, the Citizenship Act and laws governing NIDs would also be reviewed before the government made any official statement, he added.
On efforts to bring Hasina back to Bangladesh, Salahuddin said the government had already approached the country where she is staying through diplomatic channels under the existing extradition treaty.
“We have sent a letter through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in accordance with the extradition treaty, requesting that the convicted fugitive be returned to Bangladesh in accordance with the law,” he said.
Asked about recent crude bomb explosions, attacks on establishments and bus arson in the capital, the minister alleged that ousted political forces were carrying out such attacks to create instability.
Police would take legal action against those involved and deal firmly with such activities, he added.
