Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been residing in a secure house in New Delhi’s Lutyens' Bungalow Zone for over two months, according to a report by ThePrint. The Government of India has arranged her stay in a high-security area, similar to the type of bungalow usually allotted to ministers, senior MPs, and top officials.
In keeping with her security and privacy needs, ThePrint has refrained from disclosing the exact location of her residence. Sources confirmed that Hasina, under round-the-clock protection by plainclothes security personnel, takes occasional walks at Lodhi Garden in New Delhi. "She is receiving a high level of security, befitting her status," one source mentioned. "She has been living in this secure area for more than two months, and all arrangements were made accordingly."
Sheikh Hasina, along with a small entourage, flew into India aboard a Bangladesh Air Force aircraft, landing at Hindon Airbase late on 5 August. Shortly after her arrival, she was received by Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and senior military officials. However, within two days of her arrival, she left the airbase for her current secure residence.
"She couldn’t stay at the airbase for long due to inadequate facilities, so she was relocated to a safe house in the Lutyens' Delhi area," said another source. This area is home to several serving and former Members of Parliament, making it highly secure.
While her movements outside the house are infrequent, the core security team is informed in advance when necessary arrangements need to be made. Although the Government of India has not officially disclosed her location to the Bangladesh government, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar informed Parliament in August that Sheikh Hasina had sought temporary refuge in India.
Attempts to reach the Indian Ministry of External Affairs for further comments were unsuccessful, with the report to be updated if a response is received.
Sheikh Hasina was accompanied by her sister, Sheikh Rehana, on her flight to India. Rehana, a British citizen, is the mother of UK Labour Party leader Tulip Siddiq. It remains unclear whether Sheikh Rehana is staying with Hasina in New Delhi. Meanwhile, Hasina’s daughter, Saima Wazed, who serves as the Regional Director for the South-East Asia Region at the World Health Organization’s Delhi headquarters, also resides in the Indian capital.
