The Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi has questioned the authority of a London-based law firm seeking a new passport and National Identity Card (NID) for ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, saying it has yet to establish whether the firm was authorised to act on her behalf.

Matrix Chambers, a London-based barristers’ chambers, wrote to the mission's Acting High Commissioner, Preeti Rahman, requesting fresh identity documents for Hasina, who has been living in India since her ouster during the July-August uprising in 2024.

The letter, signed in the name of Steven Powles KC, states that the chambers is acting as Hasina’s legal counsel.

But a top official at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi told Daily Waadaa that the mission had not verified the claim.

"We are not sure whether Sheikh Hasina officially appointed this law firm," the official said. "Before treating the request as official, we need confirmation that she authorised the firm to act on her behalf."

The official questioned whether the lawyers had been engaged directly by Hasina or by the Awami League.

"Was this law firm appointed by Sheikh Hasina herself or by the Awami League? That is something we need to establish," the official said.

The mission has also questioned why the request was submitted through lawyers in London when Hasina is residing in New Delhi.

"Sheikh Hasina is living in Delhi. If we receive a letter signed by her or her immediate family members, we can take note of it," the official said.

The official confirmed that the correspondence had been forwarded to the relevant department but said the High Commission would not comment further on an unverified request.

"We have forwarded the letter to the department concerned. We are not interested in commenting on an email whose authenticity and authority have not been verified," the official said.

In its letter, Matrix Chambers referred to reports that Hasina's existing Bangladeshi passport and NID had been revoked by the interim government and other authorities following her removal from power.

The lawyers argued that Hasina remains a Bangladeshi national and requested the High Commission to take steps to issue replacement documents, citing Bangladeshi law and applicable international human rights obligations.

The chambers also sought details of the formalities and supporting documents required to process the applications.

The letter identifies Matrix Chambers as Hasina's legal representative, but the correspondence alone does not independently establish whether she personally authorised the request or the terms of any legal engagement.

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