Bangladesh has yet to receive any response from the UAE regarding the repatriation of former inspector general of police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said today.
"We have sent the necessary documents through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and our embassy has handed them over to the UAE government. This is the latest status. We have not heard back from the UAE government yet, but we hope to be informed very soon," he told reporters after attending a programme organised by the Department of Narcotics Control at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Benazir, one of the country's most influential former police officials, was recently arrested in Dubai.
Asked about the progress of bringing Benazir back to Bangladesh, the home minister said the UAE had initially given Bangladesh 30 days to submit the required documents after informing authorities of his arrest via email. However, Bangladesh sent all the necessary documents within three days.
When asked whether Benazir's reported possession of another country's passport could complicate the repatriation process, Salahuddin said, "We are still waiting for the UAE government's reply. As far as we know, he is in the custody of the Federal Police. We do not have any other information."
News of Benazir's arrest in Dubai surfaced on June 14 after the home minister announced the development in parliament. Benazir held significant influence during the Awami League government, serving as both inspector general of police and director general of the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab).
Replying to another question on the repatriation of three suspects arrested in India over the murder of Inqilab Mancha Convener Sharif Osman Hadi, Salahuddin said Bangladesh has already sent the necessary documents and arrest warrants under the existing bilateral treaty.
"We are waiting and hopeful that they will be handed over to us so that we can complete the investigation and submit a proper chargesheet," he said.
On the border situation, the home minister said the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) remains on high alert against any "push-in" attempts from India.
"Our BGB is doing a commendable job. They are foiling push-in attempts at every vulnerable point along the border," he said.
He added that Bangladesh has asked India through diplomatic channels to provide a list in the case of Bangladeshi nationals.
"We will verify their nationality. Once verified, we can bring them back legally through proper diplomatic channels," he said.
Salahuddin also said some Indian nationals who entered Bangladesh through push-in attempts have been placed in judicial custody.
Commenting on the broader context of the recent border developments, he said, "Border issues between the two countries do not always remain static. Since an election took place in West Bengal and a new state government has assumed power, they might have certain political agendas. They might try to demonstrate that they will deport foreign nationals, but this is not the proper process."
Responding to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's claim that more than 10,000 people had already been "pushed back" into Bangladesh, Salahuddin rejected the figure.
"We do not have any such figures. We have not allowed a single person to be pushed in. Our BGB is on high alert," he asserted.
