A group of leaders from the UK Awami League has met former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was removed from power through a mass uprising and later fled to India. Five senior figures of the UK Awami League traveled from London and met Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi on January 21.

The delegation included UK Awami League President Jalal Uddin, General Secretary Syed Sajidur Rahman Faruk, Joint General Secretary and former Sylhet City Corporation mayor Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury, Organizing Secretary Ahad Chowdhury, and UK Jubo League Joint General Secretary Jamal Khan. After completing a week-long visit to India, they returned to London on January 26.

Several members of the delegation, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the meeting to Prothom Alo. However, the information could not be independently verified through a second source.

One of the Awami League leaders who attended the meeting said it was held under strict security arrangements. The visitors were not allowed to carry mobile phones or personal belongings. After receiving Sheikh Hasina’s approval and completing security checks, the delegation was transported by security vehicles to the residence where she is staying.

According to the leader, the delegation spent nearly five hours with Sheikh Hasina, during which she gave them her full attention. He described her as confident and determined, noting no visible signs of physical illness, although she appeared to have lost a small amount of weight.

The same leader said the Indian government is hosting Sheikh Hasina with high dignity in a large, well-secured residence in Delhi. A number of staff members are reportedly assigned to assist her, and the security perimeter around the residence consists of multiple layers. He also said Sheikh Hasina’s younger sister, Sheikh Rehana, regularly travels from London to Delhi to stay with her for short periods.

Sheikh Hasina left Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, and sought refuge in Delhi. Since then, she has issued written statements on various issues and has communicated with party leaders and activists through online platforms. On January 23, a recorded audio message from Sheikh Hasina was played for the first time at an Awami League press conference in New Delhi. However, she has not appeared publicly, nor has she been seen via video calls or online conferences.

Her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, has suggested that Sheikh Hasina may not return to frontline political leadership even if the Awami League regains political space in Bangladesh. In a recent interview with Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera, Joy said his mother has already planned to step away from politics, wishes to return home, and hopes to retire.

Before being ousted through the mass uprising, Sheikh Hasina led the Awami League and governed Bangladesh for more than 15 consecutive years, starting in 2009. During her tenure, allegations of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and severe suppression of dissent were widely reported. In July and August 2024, law enforcement agencies were accused of excessive use of force while suppressing anti-government protests. A report by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights estimated that more than 1,400 people were killed during the violence.

The International Crimes Tribunal has sentenced Sheikh Hasina to death on charges of crimes against humanity related to the suppression of the movement. In addition, she is facing multiple trials over allegations including murder, enforced disappearances, and corruption.

The interim government of Bangladesh has repeatedly requested India to hand over Sheikh Hasina to face trial. However, the Indian government has yet to issue a clear response on the matter.