WORLD
Sheikh Hasina was stopped by British authorities from boarding a Dhaka-bound BA flight following a bar on her return by the military-backed interim govt.
LONDON: Amid high drama, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was on Sunday stopped by British government from returning to her country in the wake of the ban imposed on her comeback by the military-backed interim authorities in Dhaka.
The British Airways, whose flight was to take her to Dhaka, declined to issue her a boarding pass despite having a valid ticket on the ground that Bangladesh government has banned her from setting her foot in the territory of that country.
Hasina reached the Heathrow Airport about 90 minutes before the scheduled departure of the British Airways flight leaving for Dhaka at 1525 hrs. But as she went for her boarding pass, she was taken to a special chamber where an officer of the airlines told her that she was not allowed to go back to Bangladesh.
The officer told her "the government here has information that you are banned from going to Bangladesh" and showed her a letter to that effect.
After nearly 45 minutes, Hasina, chief of Awami League party, was escorted out of the airport by sten-gun wielding police officers.
After coming out of the airport, an angry Hasina, vowed to go back to Bangladesh and said "I have all the right to go back because they have filed cases against me and I have all the right to face the charges. They can't stop me from going back".
"They have no right to stop me...I will fight", she said.
She said Bangladesh government had threatened to deny landing permission to the plane carrying her back to Dhaka.
Hasina said Bangladesh government had threatened that they will not allow the aircraft to land in case she was allowed to board the plane.
Asked what she planned to do, the former Bangladeshi Prime Minister said "I want to go back and I have every right to go back. Bangladesh is my country, they have no right to stop me. Let us see, what I will have to do. At the moment I am here. I will fight."
Hasina said the interim government in Bangladesh had foisted two charges of murder and extortions against her and she wanted to go back and challenge those charges in the court of law.
Scores of Awami League supporters, who had gathered at the airport, raised pro-Hasina slogans.
The BA's refusal to let Hasina board the Dhaka-bound flight came after the Bangladesh government banned her return saying her "inflammatory" speeches could disturb the situation in the country.
Hasina was holidaying in the USA at her daughter's place and she cut short her visit there and arrived here on Thursday for a brief halt before proceeding to Dhaka.
Lord Avebury, Vice chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Human rights Affairs, wondered how could the British Airways deny her a boarding pass when she had a valid ticket and passport.
"I don't know why British Airways took part in the proceeding. The question is what remedy she has when her government has refused her entry to her own country? She will have to take legal opinion."
In Dhaka, a Metropolitan Magistrate Court on Sunday issued the warrants against Hasina and her top aide Mohd Nasim and Abdul Malik, a low-profile leader of Awami League in connection with a case filed by Jamaat-i-Islami.
Delhi residents defy firecracker ban, illuminate night sky with Diwali celebrations
'Since I've retired...': Rohit Sharma reacts after Mumbai Indians retain him for IPL 2025
Diwali 2024: How to get rid of acidity, bloating, constipation post Diwali binge?
IND vs NZ, 3rd Test Dream11 prediction: Fantasy cricket tips for India vs New Zealand match
IPL 2025: What is the remaining purse and RTM cards for all teams ahead of mega-auction?
Meet Indian man who secured job at Elon Musk's Tesla after sending...
'Isse zyada sundar...': Viral video captures aerial view of Diwali celebrations in Noida, WATCH
THIS company got richer by Rs 29878 crore on Diwali day due to...
Delhi's air quality deteriorates to 'very poor' category, likely to worsen after festival
IPL 2025: Rishabh Pant released by Delhi Capitals, CSK retains MS Dhoni as...
Meet woman, who quit NCPI as COO, now set to lead India's largest...
Viral: Businessman gifts Rs 1 crore Rolex watch to contractor for his...
Post-Diwali hangover? 5 easy tips to detox the liver
Pushpa 2: Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna share film's NEW poster to wish fans on Diwali
Gautam Adani's companies set to supply 6500 MW of power to THIS state
WTC 2023-25 points table update after South Africa clean sweep Bangladesh 2-0 in Test series
Meet woman, college dropout who earns Rs 1494000 monthly, works just 4 hours a day, she is...
Why KL Rahul decided to part ways with Lucknow Super Giants ahead of IPL 2025 retention deadline?
Sebi issues Rs 154 crore demand notices to Anil Ambani's companies, asks them to pay within...
IND vs NZ: Jasprit Bumrah to miss third India vs New Zealand Test? Report says star pacer is....
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder? Why it happens in winter?
New Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem open to truce with Israel, says, 'we accept but…’
BSNL continues to rise, deploys over 50000 4G sites with Tata Group company in India's most...
'Either this or nothing': Elderly couple dances at Mohit Chauhan's concert, WATCH viral video
'That's so cheap': Sana Makbul CRITICISES pap after he tells her 'mazze nahi aa rahe' in viral video
Indian, Chinese troops at LAC exchange Diwali sweets after border disengagement
Dawood Ibrahim was fan of this superstar, invited him for tea, confessed a murder to him, then…
NEET entrance 2025 exam to happen online? Here's what high-level panel suggests
Jadeja to enter IPL auction? CSK eying THIS star player as MS Dhoni's successor
Ratan Tata once surprised his dog trainer at Bombay VT: 'You hold the pup, I’ll take...'
Woman finds bundle of old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes during Diwali cleaning, netizens call it...
IPL 2025: List of players set be retained on deadline day, CSK, RCB, MI will retain...
Kartik Aaryan says his film Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 doesn't need cameos: 'Hume humaari...'
Meet man, who secured AIR 2644 in JEE, did B.Tech from IIT Kanpur, has now started doing...
Noida: Stunning drone footage captures Diwali celebrations, watch viral video
Is stock market open or closed on Diwali? Know details here
Don’t Move on Netflix movie review: Psychological thriller with enjoyable moments
Cricketer Ben Stokes' house burgled by masked robbers, England captain shares harrowing details
Diwali delights: Bengaluru man surprises mom with Apple iPhone 15, viral video wins internet, watch
'Divine festival of lights...' PM Narendra Modi extend his wishes on festival Diwali
Diwali 2024: Dos and don'ts, subh muhurat, rituals and more
Delhi pollution: National capital's air quality dips to 'very poor' on Diwali, AQI hits...
Varun Dhawan finally reveals daughter’s name on Amitabh Bachchan’s KBC 16: ‘We named her…’
Elon Musk is hiring Hindi tutors for his firm xAI, offering pay up to Rs...
When Abhishek Bachchan broke his silence on divorce rumours with Aishwarya Rai: ‘Will you let me…”
Triupati Laddo row: Andhra Pradesh govt appoints BR Naidu as new chairman of Tirupati temple board
Meet man who left his IT job to build Indian brand, competes with Domino's, Pizza Hut, he is...
Diwali 2024: Know puja vidhi, shubh muhurat, significance, rituals and more
Meet man, whose father is a taxi driver, clears UPSC with AIR...