Where Is Sheikh Hasina? As Arch-Rival Khaleda Zia Steps Out Of Jail Amid Bangladesh Crisis, Question Rages

Amid the escalating violence in Bangladesh, former PM Sheikh Hasina flew to India. Hasina reportedly sought asylum in the UK, but her request may be denied under UK asylum laws.

Bangladesh Crisis: The volatile situation in Bangladesh is developing by the hour with the protests against former PM Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League intensifying and spreading even to the US. The Bangladesh Air Force's Lockheed C-130J Hercules transport jet, with call sign AJAX1431, flew Sheikh Hasina to India soon after her resignation from the post of the Bangladesh Prime Minister. The aircraft returned to Dhaka from the Hindon air base in UP on Tuesday morning, but Hasina was learnt to have remained behind in India.

The aircraft carried seven military personnel but Sheikh Hasina and her sister Rehana remained behind. Soon after the airport's departure, the Hindon airport buzzed with activity as several VVIP cars were seen entering the facility.

The development comes on a day when Hasina's arch-rival and Bangladesh National Party chairperson Khaleda Zia, who was serving a 17-year prison sentence was released. Khaleda Zia has served two terms as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. Both Hasina and Zia have yet to make a public appearance since Monday's developments.

READ ON ABP LIVE | Khaleda Zia Is Free! Former Bangladesh PM Walks Out Of Jail After Nearly 6 Years

Can Sheikh Hasina Seek Asylum In The UK?

Sheikh Hasina was granted safe passage by India following her resignation. According to various reports, she was seeking asylum in the UK. But the request for asylum could get rejected as the UK asylum laws "discourage" asylum seekers from nations who could have got safe harbour in countries nearer to them or have a connection to a safe country. 

A UK Parliament document explains the asylum law as: "UK asylum law contains measures to encourage people to do so. For example, people who travel through a safe third country can be treated as inadmissible to the UK asylum system and removed to a third country, or if allowed to stay, be given a less favourable immigration status."

"In broad terms, asylum claims may be declared inadmissible and not substantively considered in the UK, if the claimant was previously present in or had another connection to a safe third country, where they claimed protection, or could reasonably be expected to have done so, provided there is a reasonable prospect of removing them in a reasonable time to a safe third country," it adds.

The latest report by the UK government's Home Department states: "Those in need of international protection should take the fastest route to safety and claim asylum in the first safe country they reach, rather than making dangerous journeys through multiple safe countries to arrive at their preferred destination."

What Is Sheikh Hasina's Current Location?

Sheikh Hasina, after landing in India, met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, according to an ANI report. Hasina was last reported to be at a safe house in Hindon near the Hindon airbase. She is likely to be still at the Hindon safe house.

Soon after she landed in India, PM Narendra Modi held an emergency meeting to discuss the implications of her arrival and the situation in Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday held a meeting with NSA Ajit Doval, Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, and other key officials to discuss the rapidly evolving situation in Bangladesh and India's border security.