Delhi mission receives email seeking new passport, NID for Hasina, forwards it to Dhaka: Report

The Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi has received an email from London-based law firm Matrix Chambers seeking a new passport and national identity card (NID) for ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Prothom Alo reported today (9 November).

However, diplomatic sources in Dhaka said there is no way to establish whether the application has actually been made on Hasina’s behalf, as the email contains no authorisation document or proof of consent from her. Such authorisation is normally required when a firm submits an application on someone’s behalf.

A diplomatic source in New Delhi confirmed this morning that the email has been received.

The High Commission immediately informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka, seeking instructions on the next course of action.

Sources at the foreign ministry also confirmed receiving the information from the High Commission.

According to sources familiar with the matter, a lawyer with the firm, Steven Powels, began the email by stating that he was contacting the authorities on behalf of Hasina as her legal representative.

The email then outlined several issues and requested the issuance of a new Bangladeshi passport and national identity card for her.

The letter said the interim government and other relevant authorities cancelled Hasina’s existing Bangladeshi passport and NID.

It asked the High Commission to take the necessary steps to issue her new documents.

Earlier, Reuters reported, citing a letter it had obtained, that Hasina has sought a new passport and national identity card to facilitate her return to Bangladesh. She submitted the application to the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi today.

According to the Reuters report, this is the first such application by Hasina since she fled to India on 5 August 2024 amid the student-led July Uprising.