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Where Is Sheikh Hasina Now?

Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh‘s longest-serving Prime Minister (1996–2001, 2009–2024), fled to India on August 5, 2024, amid violent student-led protests that ended her rule.

As of December 24, 2025, she remains in exile in India, living under high security in a secure location in New Delhi.

Reports describe her residence as a guarded flat or safe house in upscale areas like Chanakyapuri or Lutyens’ Delhi, with round-the-clock protection provided by Indian authorities.

Her exact whereabouts are kept undisclosed for security reasons, and India has maintained official silence on her status.

Hasina has expressed gratitude to India for its hospitality and has no immediate plans to leave.

In recent statements, she has said she lives “freely but cautiously” in Delhi and intends to stay until conditions allow a safe return to Bangladesh.

India’s government views its presence as a delicate diplomatic matter, balancing historical ties with the Awami League against evolving relations with Bangladesh’s interim administration.

Hasina has occasionally been spotted in public spaces like Lodhi Garden under tight security.

However, her life is largely reclusive, with communication limited to phone calls and recorded messages to supporters.

Timeline Of Hasina’s Exile

Date	Location/Activity
August 5, 2024	Arrival in India at Hindon Air Force base near Delhi; later moved to a safe house.
October–November 2024	Reported living in a secure bungalow in Lutyens’ Delhi or Chanakyapuri; occasional sightings in Lodhi Garden under heavy security.
May–August 2025	Ongoing secretive stay in New Delhi; completes one year in exile while maintaining contact with Awami League leaders.
November 2025	Sentenced to death in absentia by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal for crimes against humanity related to the 2024 protests.
December 2025	Remains in a secure location in Delhi; rejects extradition demands and criticizes the interim government; no confirmed departure from India.

The Diplomatic And Legal Quagmire

Hasina’s exile has intensified diplomatic and legal tensions between India and Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, has charged her with crimes against humanity, genocide, and corruption.

In November 2025, the International Crimes Tribunal sentenced her to death in absentia for orchestrating violence during the 2024 protests.

Additional sentences include 21 years for land grab cases and other corruption charges.

Bangladesh has repeatedly requested her extradition under a 2013 bilateral treaty, with formal demands renewed after the death sentence.

India has acknowledged the requests and stated they are “under examination” through judicial and legal processes, but no action has been taken.

Observers note India is unlikely to extradite her, citing concerns over the political motivation of the charges, potential unfair trial, and humanitarian grounds.

Hasina and her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, dismiss the charges as politically motivated.

She has challenged the Yunus administration to take the case to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, expressing confidence in an acquittal by an independent court.

Hasina insists she left Bangladesh to prevent further bloodshed and plans to return only under a “legitimate government and independent judiciary.”

Exiled Awami League leaders continue low-key activities, but India has reportedly discouraged overt political organizing from its soil.

What Is Next For Sheikh Hasina?

The future remains uncertain amid Bangladesh’s planned elections in early 2026 and ongoing instability.

Hasina has rejected calls to return under current conditions, accusing the interim government of lawlessness, empowering extremists, and manufacturing anti-India hostility.

Speculated asylum options (UK, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Finland) have not materialized, and she has stated no intention to leave India.

Her supporters rally for her return, viewing her as a symbol of democracy and development, while critics hold her accountable for authoritarianism and protest crackdowns.

Possible Future Scenarios

Scenario	Likelihood	Details
Return to Bangladesh	Low	Dependent on election outcomes, lifting of the Awami League ban, and resolution of legal cases. Hasina has tied the return to restored democracy.
Asylum in Another Country	Low	Earlier speculations unconfirmed; Hasina expresses preference to stay in India.
Continued/Prolonged Stay in India	High	India’s security provisions and diplomatic stance suggest ongoing refuge; extradition is unlikely despite requests.

Why This Matters

Sheikh Hasina’s exile transcends a personal story; it mirrors South Asia’s intricate web of power shifts, protests, and diplomacy, impacting millions in Bangladesh and regional stability.

Her legacy as a transformative leader in economic growth contrasts with accusations of authoritarianism.

The saga highlights challenges in handling ousted leaders, extradition treaties, and minority protections amid Bangladesh’s volatile transition.

Trivia

Did You Know? Sheikh Hasina is the daughter of Bangladesh’s founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Her family’s 1975 assassination left her as a survivor, shaping her political resolve. She lived in exile in India from 1975 to 1981 before returning to lead the Awami League.