The UK Home Office has clarified that British immigration rules do not permit individuals to travel to the country to seek asylum or temporary refuge, following speculation that ousted Bangladeshi leader Sheikh Hasina, currently in Delhi, might fly to London for sanctuary. The UK government, now led by Sir Keir Starmer after Labour's recent landslide victory, emphasized that asylum seekers must apply in the first safe country they reach.

"The UK has a proud record of providing protection for those in need, but there is no provision for travel to the UK to seek asylum or temporary refuge," a UK Home Office spokesperson told NDTV. "Those needing international protection should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach; this is the fastest route to safety."

Despite these statements, sources indicate that a formal asylum request for Hasina is being processed.

Hasina, 76, resigned as Prime Minister on Monday evening after protests over a jobs quota led to over 300 deaths. She fled Dhaka on a military aircraft following a 45-minute ultimatum from the Bangladesh Army, initially landing at an IAF base in Uttar Pradesh.

Upon arrival in India, Hasina was met by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and was expected to proceed to London. However, her exact whereabouts remain unconfirmed. Sources suggest she is under the "protective custody" of Indian intelligence services.

Accompanying Hasina is her younger sister, Sheikh Rehana, a UK citizen, potentially aiding her asylum claim. Hasina's niece, Tulip Siddiq, is a British Labour MP. Additionally, Hasina’s daughter, Saima Wazed, is based in Delhi, working for the World Health Organization, though this is unlikely to influence asylum proceedings.

The Indian government's position on the matter was highlighted by a report from Bangladesh's Daily Sun, which mentioned that India has granted Hasina permission for an "interim stay" with logistical support, pending relocation to the UK. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar have been briefed on the situation.

During an all-party meeting, Jaishankar spoke of a "conspiracy" to topple Hasina's government, addressing a question from Congress MP Rahul Gandhi regarding possible foreign interference, particularly from Pakistan.

The situation in Bangladesh poses challenges for India, especially if the UK rejects Hasina's asylum request. India must navigate its stance carefully to avoid straining relations with Bangladesh's new interim government, which might be advised by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. This follows the release of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who was jailed for corruption and is seen as a potential key figure in the new government setup.