Investigative reports and sightings by prominent journalists, including Al-Jazeera’s Zulkarnain Saer, suggest that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is currently residing in a high-security “safe house” within New Delhi’s Lutyens Bungalow Zone.
From the July Uprising to Exile
Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, following a massive student-led “July Uprising” that eventually transformed into a nationwide movement toppling her 15-year regime. After resigning under immense pressure as protesters marched toward her official residence, Ganabhaban, she was flown to India’s Hindon Airbase in a military aircraft.
While her initial destination was speculated to be London or Dubai, she has remained in India for over a year and a half, marking her second period of exile in the Indian capital.
The Lutyens Connection
The latest information indicates that Sheikh Hasina is being housed in a government bungalow typically reserved for senior ministers or top-ranking officials. The area, known for its extreme security and proximity to landmarks like India Gate and Khan Market, is under 24-hour surveillance by plainclothes security personnel.
Reports from various sources, including social media updates from Zulkarnain Saer, have pointed toward specific coordinates in the Lodhi Road area. These claims align with previous sightings by international media, which reported the former Prime Minister taking occasional morning walks in the nearby Lodhi Garden under a heavy security detail.
Legal and Diplomatic Tension
The news of her precise whereabouts comes at a sensitive time. Back in Dhaka, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued multiple arrest warrants against Sheikh Hasina for alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July-August protests.
The interim government of Bangladesh has expressed its intent to seek her extradition via Interpol, though the Indian government has yet to officially disclose her location to Dhaka, maintaining that she was granted entry “for the moment” on short notice.
