New information emerges on Hasina's flight to India
New information has emerged regarding former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's departure to India, two years after she was ousted from power. According to a report aired by Star News, her departure was not an instant decision but had been planned in advance.
The report, based on an analysis of information and documents related to Hasina's departure, claimed that several ministers and senior government officials had discussed the matter with her beforehand.
According to the report, on 4 August, Sheikh Hasina told then Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud that she had decided to meet the President that day.
"I've decided to go to the President today. I have completed the write-up as well. I have informed the Army Chief. He asked for 24 hours. The Army Chief is trying to do something, and I'm waiting to see," Hasina reportedly said.
Call records from Sheikh Hasina's personal phone allegedly show that, following the day's political turmoil on 4 August, she held lengthy conversations at night with then Principal Secretary Tofazzal Hossain Miah and a senior Army officer.
The records also indicate that she spoke with her personal staff, security officials, and family members on various issues. According to the report, she contacted the same senior Army officer several times between the morning and noon on that day.
After boarding the aircraft, Hasina reportedly made phone calls to her daughter, Sayma Wazed, and the senior Army officer.
Information technology expert and prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Tanvir Hasan Zoha, said investigators found repeated contacts with India from several phone numbers in Dhaka.
"We found repeated communications with India from several numbers in Dhaka. Although several relevant numbers were identified, they were mysteriously not sent to the ICT. The matter will be investigated properly," Zoha said.
The report further stated that while aircraft normally require several administrative and technical clearances before takeoff, the aircraft carrying Hasina was granted rapid clearance.
According to Air Force terminology cited in the report, such an emergency departure is known as a "scramble," a procedure generally used when military aircraft need to take off immediately during emergencies or combat situations.
The report also claimed that the aircraft's transponder was switched off shortly after takeoff, preventing it from being tracked, and was switched on again after it entered Indian airspace.
It further alleged that instead of following the usual route to Delhi via Rajshahi, the aircraft flew through Satkhira to reach Delhi more quickly.
Experts quoted in the report said it should be investigated whether the state aircraft carrying Hasina and her family members complied with the required customs, immigration, and other official procedures before departure.
Legal experts also said that if a petition is filed with the International Crimes Tribunal regarding the matter, it could pave the way for an institutional inquiry into the allegations.