The interim government is going to revoke diplomatic (red) passports issued in favour of fallen prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former ministers and members of parliament (MPs) following the fall of Awami League government in the recent mass uprising of students and people in Bangladesh.
The government has taken necessary initiatives in this regard. An order will be made to revoke the red passports issued in favour of the former ministers and MPs of the fallen government.
If the red passports are revoked, the ministers and MPs who have been arrested in connection with different criminal cases will have to undergo legal process to get ordinary passports. They will receive ordinary passports if court issues orders in favour of them.
In the wake of widespread movement of students and people, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina took shelter in India fleeing the country on August 5 last. Several ministers and MPs of her government have already been arrested. Some also left the country to avert arrest before the fall of the government.
Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina who takes refuge in India was a diplomatic passport holder. According to a memorandum of understanding signed between Bangladesh and India on July 15, 2018, she will easily be able to stay in India minimum 45 days without any visa holding that passport. She went India on August 5 last. According to the Indian law, Sheikh Hasina will be able to stay in India more 29 days unless that passport is revoked or cancelled. So, her present stay in India is completely lawful and there is no need for India to take any fresh step.
On the other hand, Sheikh Hasina's younger sister Sheikh Rehana is a British passport holder. So, she will get on-arrival visa facility in India. Availing this opportunity, she will be able to stay in India as long as she wants.
Former foreign secretary Shahidul Huq said the validity of diplomatic passport is expired if the tenure of parliament ends or is dissolved. Generally, the diplomatic passport holders will surrender their passports after the validity is over and take ordinary passports.
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