Bangladesh rejects Sheikh Hasina passport application to return home

Bangladesh has rejected a passport application from Sheikh Hasina, the former prime minister who fled to India in August 2024 following widespread civil unrest. The decision prevents Hasina from obtaining the travel documents necessary to return to Bangladesh, where she faces multiple legal cases.

Sheikh Hasina departed Bangladesh during a period of intense political upheaval that saw her government face mounting pressure from protest movements and civil society. She subsequently took refuge in India, where she has remained as the situation in her home country continues to evolve.

The rejection of her passport application represents a significant development in the political situation surrounding the former premier. Bangladesh has been working through a transitional political process since her departure, with various legal proceedings pending against her and members of her administration.

Hasina's inability to secure travel documents effectively bars her from returning to Bangladesh in the near term. The situation underscores the ongoing political divisions within the country and the complications facing key figures from the previous government.