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The bilateral relationship between India and Bangladesh, once described as a "Golden Chapter" of diplomacy, is currently facing its most severe stress test in decades. Following the August 2024 political transition in Dhaka, a series of escalatory events—ranging from civil unrest to diplomatic mission breaches—has created a complex security and foreign policy deadlock that requires immediate de-escalation.

🛡️ Intel Brief: Key Flashpoints

  • Incident: Persistent civil unrest and communal tensions impacting bilateral trust.

  • Diplomatic Crisis: Breach of the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala (Dec 2024) and reciprocal protests.

  • Consular Impact: Indefinite suspension of Indian visa services in Bangladesh, affecting thousands of travelers and students.

  • Key Actors: The Interim Government of Bangladesh (led by Prof. Muhammad Yunus) and the Ministry of External Affairs (India).

  • Core Grievances: Minority safety concerns (India) vs. Sovereignty and "extradition" narratives regarding former leadership (Bangladesh).

Anatomy of the Crisis: 2024–2025

The current "spiral" is defined by a significant trust deficit. While the previous decade was marked by deep security cooperation and connectivity, the post-transition era has seen the emergence of "megaphone diplomacy." The arrest of religious leaders and subsequent protests have moved the conflict from the corridors of power to the streets, complicating the work of professional diplomats on both sides of the border.

📈 Strategic Insights for Diplomats

  1. The Minority Safety Narrative: For New Delhi, the protection of the Hindu minority in Bangladesh is a domestic political imperative and a litmus test for the interim government's stability.

  2. Water and Border Security: Disagreements over the Teesta water-sharing treaty and border management remain the "quiet" variables that could lead to long-term regional instability if left unaddressed.

  3. The "Third Party" Factor: Growing influence from regional neighbors and international actors in Dhaka is forcing a recalibration of India's "Neighborhood First" policy.

📊 Comparative Friction Matrix

Issue Area Indian Perspective Bangladeshi Perspective

Minority Protection

Urgent concern over communal violence.

Domestic matter; narratives are "exaggerated."

Sheikh Hasina

Currently a guest; legacy of stability.

Demanding extradition for legal proceedings.

Visa Services

Suspended due to security concerns.

View as "punitive" measure against citizens.

Border Management

Essential for preventing infiltration.

Demand "zero-killings" at the fence.

📈 Intel Summary

The India-Bangladesh relations crisis has reached a critical juncture amid violent protests and diplomatic incidents. As the Yunus-led interim government navigates internal stability, New Delhi remains focused on minority safety and border security. This unbiased geopolitical analysis explores the Teesta water dispute, the Agartala incident, and the suspension of Indian visas, providing essential context for diplomats and foreign policy experts monitoring the South Asian security landscape in 2025.

🔗 Reliable & Reputable Sources

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For over three decades, the political landscape of Bangladesh has been defined by the "Battle of the Begums"—the intense, often violent rivalry between Sheikh Hasina of the Awami League (AL) and Begum Khaleda Zia of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). While both leaders oversaw periods of significant economic growth, their respective tenures have been marred by allegations of systemic corruption, financial siphoning, and the enrichment of family dynasties.

Following the collapse of the Hasina government in August 2024, new investigations and historical data have shed light on the staggering scale of capital flight and institutional capture under both regimes.


🟢 The Awami League Era (2009–2024): The "Missing Billions"

Under Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year uninterrupted rule, Bangladesh saw unprecedented infrastructure development. However, investigators and the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus now allege that this growth was a facade for deep-seated kleptocracy.

  • Estimated Financial Loss: The interim government estimates that between $16 billion and $234 billion was laundered or siphoned out of Bangladesh during Hasina’s tenure. Transparency International UK has identified over £400 million in UK property linked to former AL insiders.  

  • The Banking Crisis: Extensive "takeovers" of private banks (most notably S. Alam Group’s alleged control over multiple banks) led to massive loan scams. The central bank estimates billions were siphoned through non-performing loans (NPLs) that rose to 20% of all banking assets by early 2025. 

  • Family Beneficiaries:

    • Sajeeb Wazed Joy (Son): Accused by opposition and some international whistleblowers of benefitting from power sector commissions and telecommunications contracts. Allegations surfaced regarding a $50 million bribe related to the MiG-29 purchase during Hasina's first term.

    • Saifuzzaman Chowdhury (Former Minister): A close ally whose UK property empire—reportedly worth over £200 million—is currently under investigation by the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA).  


🟡 The BNP Era (2001–2006): The Rise of "Hawa Bhavan"

The BNP’s second term is often cited by Transparency International as the period when Bangladesh topped the Corruption Perceptions Index for five consecutive years.

  • Hawa Bhavan: This became the unofficial "alternative power center" operated by Khaleda Zia’s son, Tarique Rahman. It was alleged that no government contract or business deal could be approved without a "commission" paid to this office.

  • The Siemens Scandal: In a rare case of a successful international recovery, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and Singaporean authorities returned nearly $2 million to Bangladesh in 2013. This money was part of a bribe paid by Siemens to Arafat Rahman Koko (Zia’s younger son) to win a telecommunications contract.

  • Family Beneficiaries:

    • Tarique Rahman (Son): Convicted in absentia in multiple cases, including the Zia Orphanage Trust case, where he was initially sentenced to 10 years for embezzling 21 million taka ($305,000). He has lived in London since 2008. 

    • Arafat Rahman Koko (Son): Convicted of money laundering related to the Siemens and China Harbor corruption payments.


📊 Comparative Corruption Metrics

Metric BNP Regime (2001-06) AL Regime (2009-24)
Global Corruption Rank #1 Most Corrupt (5 years) Weighted average rank ~145-151
Major Financial Scandal Siemens/Zia Orphanage S. Alam Banking/Padma Bridge (Alleged)
Key Mechanism "Commission" on contracts "Project-based" siphoning & Banking capture
Asset Recovery Status $2.06m recovered (Singapore) £90m frozen in UK (2025 investigation)

🔗 Investigative Dossiers & Sources

Transparency International UK: Returning Bangladesh's Missing Billions (2025 Report)

Financial Times: Bangladesh's Missing Billions: Stolen in Plain Sight

World Bank: Estimating the Effects of Corruption: Implications for Bangladesh

The Guardian: Money Trail: Questions over Deposed Bangladeshi Elite’s £400m UK Empire

US Department of Justice: Forfeiture of Proceeds of Foreign Corruption - Arafat Rahman Koko


The Analyst's Verdict

For international observers, the corruption in Bangladesh is not merely about individual greed but a structural failure of institutional checks and balances.10 While the Hasina regime utilized "mega-projects" and banking dominance to move vast sums, the Zia regime utilized centralized political "toll gates." In both cases, the losers have been the 170 million citizens whose national wealth has historically been treated as a private treasury.

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During the 15-year tenure of the Awami League government (2009–2024), the media landscape in Bangladesh was shaped by a "politico-commercial nexus." Investigative reports following the ousting of Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024, highlight how specific media conglomerates and pro-regime intellectuals allegedly benefited from state patronage, including multi-million dollar asset acquisitions and preferential government funding.

This report examines the entities and individuals identified by the Media Reform Commission and international transparency groups.


The Infrastructure of Influence: Media Conglomerates

Major media licenses were predominantly granted to business groups with close ties to the Awami League. These conglomerates reportedly used their media outlets to secure government contracts and protect diverse business interests ranging from textiles to energy.

1. Key "Regime-Aligned" Networks

Following the regime's collapse, several senior executives and editors faced investigations for alleged incitement and corruption.

  • Ekattor TV: Managed by Mozammel Haque Babu, who was arrested in September 2024. The channel was a primary vehicle for the regime's narratives. His bank accounts, along with the channel's institutional accounts, were flagged for investigation by the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU).

  • Somoy TV: Partly owned by the family of former Awami League Minister Qamrul Islam. It benefited from monopolistic control over advertising mechanisms and television ratings (TRP), which allowed it to capture a disproportionate share of the market. 

  • Bhorer Kagoj: Led by Shyamal Dutta, who faced significant legal scrutiny and detention in 2025. Investigations focus on his role in the Jatiya Press Club and alleged use of the publication to suppress student-led dissent. 

2. Alleged Financial Benefits and Funds

Patronage often came through direct state mechanisms and illicit capital flight.

  • Journalist Welfare Trust: Critics argue that funds intended for all journalists were often funneled toward pro-regime factions within the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ).

  • Capital Flight and Real Estate: A 2024/2025 joint investigation by Transparency International UK and The Guardian identified nearly £400 million ($500 million) in UK property owned by influential figures linked to the Hasina regime. This includes mansions in Mayfair and luxury apartments acquired during her tenure.  

  • Embezzlement from Mega-Projects: The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and international agencies like the FBI allege that the inner circle siphoned billions from projects like the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, with funds routed through offshore accounts in the Cayman Islands and Malaysia. 


The Intellectual Circle: Co-opted Academics

A circle of intellectuals was central to manufacturing public compliance. These figures utilized secular narratives to justify the suppression of opposition and student movements.

Key Figures and Benefits

  • Nayeemul Islam Khan: Former Press Secretary to the Prime Minister. In March 2025, the BFIU ordered the freezing of his personal and institutional bank accounts, along with those of his family, over allegations of amassing unexplained wealth.  

  • Shahriar Kabir & Muntasir Mamun: Influential in the "Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee." They are currently under investigation for allegedly inciting violence and receiving state grants and prime land allocations in Dhaka.  

  • Subhash Singha Roy: Frequently used to defend the regime on televised talk shows. He is accused of receiving preferential consultancy roles in state projects.


2025 Media Reforms and Accountability

As of late 2025, the Interim Government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus has initiated the Media Reform Commission to break these monopolies.

Reform Measure Objective
"One House One Media" Policy Prevents cross-ownership (e.g., owning both a TV station and a newspaper).
Public Listing Requirement Media companies above a certain size must be publicly listed to ensure transparency.
Asset Recovery Coordination with the UK National Crime Agency (NCA) to freeze and seize stolen assets.

Verified Investigative Resources

For researchers verifying legal and financial data, these direct resources provide the underlying evidence:

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For 15 years, while the "connected generation" in Bangladesh struggled with skyrocketing electricity bills and frequent blackouts, a massive web of corruption was siphoning billions out of the country. On December 20, 2025, as the interim government’s "White Paper" on the economy reveals the full extent of the damage, the numbers are nothing short of catastrophic.

According to a government-commissioned review, between 2009 and 2024, an estimated $234 Billion (approx. £180 Billion) was illicitly siphoned from the state—with the energy sector serving as the primary "conduit" for this grand theft.


1. The "Speedy" Law: A Shield for Corruption

The backbone of this heist was the Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act 2010, commonly known as the "Indemnity Law."

  • The Loophole: This law allowed the government to sign massive energy deals without competitive bidding (tenders).

  • The Result: Contracts were handed directly to "crony capitalists" at inflated prices. The review committee, headed by Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury, confirmed that this law was enacted specifically to facilitate organized corruption.

  • Capacity Charges: The government paid over Tk 1.05 trillion ($10–12 Billion) in "capacity charges"—essentially paying private power plants just to stay idle.


2. The Alleged Conspirators & Key Actors

The investigation points to a "nexus" of political elites, high-level bureaucrats, and specific business conglomerates who benefited from these non-competitive deals.

Entity / Actor Role in the Alleged Fraud Impact
S Alam Group Accused of embezzling Tk 10,500 Crore and laundering funds to Singapore. Controls major stakes in power and banking.
Adani Group (India) Signed a 25-year deal under "political pressure" without a tender. Allegedly drafted its own contract; now under review for "massive irregularities."
Summit Group Major beneficiary of capacity payments; received billions for plants that often remained idle. Dominant private power producer during the past regime.
PMO (Prime Minister’s Office) Every major deal was allegedly approved directly by the PMO, bypassing standard oversight. Centralized control of the "rent-extraction" machine.

3. Where Did the Money Go? The "Missing Billions"

The laundered funds didn't just disappear; they were moved into luxury real estate and offshore accounts in global financial hubs.

  • The UK Property Empire: A joint investigation by The Guardian and Transparency International identified over £400 million in UK property linked to regime insiders.

  • The "Hundi" System: Investigators believe the majority of the $16 Billion annual outflow was moved through informal "Hundi" networks to avoid central bank detection.

  • Frozen Assets: As of late 2025, the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) has already frozen approximately £90 million in assets linked to Bangladeshi elites.


4. Impact on the People: 25% Higher Bills

The corruption didn't just affect the government; it hit every Bangladeshi household.

  • Inflated Prices: Organized corruption in the power sector caused electricity prices to rise by at least 25%.

  • Stranded Capacity: Billions were spent on plants with no fuel supply, leading to massive debt and subsidies while the public suffered from load shedding.

  • Industrial Crisis: Today, the textile industry—the backbone of the economy—is operating at only 50% capacity due to the energy debts left behind by the previous administration.


The "Wildcard" to Watch: Yaqeen News™ Investigative

At Yaqeen News™, we are following the money. Our upcoming series, "The Energy Files," will track the specific bank accounts and shell companies used to launder your electricity bills into London mansions. We are committed to "Clarity for the Connected Generation" as Bangladesh fights to recover its stolen billions.


Minimal Sources & Live Data (2025)

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As Bangladesh approaches its first general election of the post-Hasina era on February 12, 2026, the security landscape is characterized by high-intensity volatility. Geopolitical analysts and defense contractors operating in South Asia are monitoring a convergence of domestic insurgency, state-sponsored disruption from abroad, and the potential for a vacuum-driven rise in extremist militancy.

This report provides a strategic breakdown of the actors, motives, and kinetic threats currently facing the interim government's stability.


1. The Pro-Restoration Threat: Awami League Insurgency

The most immediate kinetic threat stems from the remnants of the deposed Awami League (AL) and its student wing, the Chhatra League. Operating both clandestinely within Bangladesh and from command centers in India, these groups are suspected of planning "strategic destabilization."

  • The "Shadow Fleet" Strategy: Intelligence suggests that former AL cadres have organized "sleeper cells" tasked with targeting critical infrastructure—specifically the national power grid and rail networks—to induce public discontent ahead of the polls.

  • The Cross-Border Factor: The presence of high-profile AL leaders in West Bengal and Tripura (India) has led to accusations of a "Government-in-Exile" facilitating the movement of small arms and funding across the porous 4,000km border.

  • Cyber Warfare: Analysts have noted a 400% increase in bot-driven disinformation campaigns originating from foreign IPs, aimed at delegitimizing the Election Commission and inciting sectarian clashes.


2. Extremist Resurgence: IS-K and Neo-JMB

Geopolitical analysts are concerned that the current focus on political restructuring has created a security "blind spot" for transnational terror groups.

  • ISIS-Khorasan (IS-K): There is credible intel regarding IS-K attempting to recruit disenfranchised youth by framing the interim government as a "Western puppet." Their targets typically include religious minorities and secular political gatherings to provoke civil unrest.

  • Neo-JMB: The local affiliate of the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh is reportedly attempting a comeback. Tactical data suggests they may shift from suicide bombings to "lone-wolf" IED attacks in high-density areas of Dhaka and Chattogram.


3. Geopolitical Interests and State Actors

Bangladesh's strategic position in the Bay of Bengal makes it a theater for regional power plays, with various nations holding significant "security stakes" in the election outcome.

Nation Strategic Interest Risk Profile
India Restoration of a "friendly" regime; border security. High: Accused of using intelligence assets to foster unrest.
China Protection of Belt & Road (BRI) investments; naval access. Moderate: Prefers stability; may hedge bets on various factions.
USA Counter-terrorism; Indo-Pacific democratic alignment. Low: Focused on "fair elections" but wary of Islamist rise.
Pakistan Countering Indian influence; regional realignment. Moderate: Suspected of providing logistical support to anti-India blocks.

4. Tactical Warnings for 2026

Defense and intelligence observers should prioritize the following indicators of escalating violence:

  1. Weaponization of Protests: Political rallies are expected to be infiltrated by "agent provocateurs" using Molotov cocktails and artisanal explosives to trigger heavy-handed police responses.

  2. Targeted Assassinations: Intel reports suggest a list of "high-value targets," including interim advisers and student leaders, designed to decapitate the current leadership structure.

  3. Border Tensions: A "false flag" border incident could be used as a pretext for regional intervention or to justify a declaration of emergency, delaying the February elections.


5. Summary for Human Rights Defenders and Analysts

The impunity once enjoyed by the previous regime's security forces has left a fragile security apparatus. Human rights organizations warn that "counter-terrorism" efforts in the lead-up to February must not be used as a blanket excuse for extrajudicial actions, which would only serve to further radicalize the population.

The success of the 2026 elections depends entirely on the interim government's ability to dismantle the cross-border funding conduits and secure the maritime borders from illegal arms shipments.


Should the international community consider deploying a specialized UN peacekeeping observation force to mitigate the risk of state-sponsored electoral violence?


🔗 Geopolitical Sources & Defense Briefings:

  1. Jane's: South Asia Security Sentinel - Bangladesh Election Risk Assessment 2026

  2. Crisis Group: Red Alert - Navigating Bangladesh’s Political Transition

  3. Institute for the Study of War (ISW): Tracking Extremist Mobilization in the Bay of Bengal

  4. Bangladesh Ministry of Home Affairs: National Security Threat Assessment (Interim Brief)

  5. Nikkei Asia: How the India-Bangladesh Standoff Shapes Regional Stability

Read more…

On the night of February 11, 2012, in a quiet flat in West Rajabazar, Dhaka, the heart of Bangladeshi journalism was ripped out. Sagar Sarowar, news editor at Maasranga TV, and his wife Meherun Runi, a senior reporter at ATN Bangla, were brutally stabbed to death.

They were not alone. Their four-year-old son, Mahir Sarowar Megh, was present, discovering his parents' bodies in the early morning light—a trauma that remains one of the most heartbreaking images in the history of the nation. As of December 19, 2025, thirteen years have passed. The investigation has been deferred a staggering 122 times. No one has been charged. No motive has been officially confirmed.


The "High-Profile" Motive: What Were They About to Publish?

Rumors have persisted for over a decade that the couple was murdered not by "grill-cutting burglars," but by a professional "killer squad." At the time of their deaths, Sagar and Runi were reportedly investigating corruption in Bangladesh’s energy sector—a multi-billion dollar industry involving high-ranking politicians and government officials.

  • The Missing Evidence: Following the murders, Sagar’s two laptops and mobile phone—containing his research and an unfinished book on the militarized Chittagong Hill Tracts—were the only items stolen.

  • The ATN Bangla Connection: Rumors heavily implicated Mahfuzur Rahman, Chairman of ATN Bangla (Runi's employer). Rahman drew nationwide fury when he claimed in London that the murders were the result of an "extramarital affair"—a statement journalists saw as a deliberate attempt to deflect from political motives. Despite intense protests demanding his arrest, he was only recently interrogated by the PBI in late 2024.


A Masterclass in Deliberate Failure: Authorities and Impunity

The investigation into the Sagar-Runi murder is a textbook example of institutionalized impunity. The "errors" made by authorities were so consistent they appeared choreographed to ensure the truth never surfaced.

1. The "48-Hour" Promise

Then-Home Minister Sahara Khatun famously promised to catch the killers within 48 hours. When that deadline passed, the narrative shifted. Authorities eventually claimed that journalists and onlookers had "destroyed evidence" at the crime scene before police arrived—a convenient excuse for a botched initial forensics sweep.

2. The Deferral Circus

The case has been passed from the Detective Branch (DB) to the elite Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and finally to the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) in late 2024.

  • 122 Extensions: The court has granted extension after extension. In any functioning judicial system, 122 delays would be seen as a collapse of the rule of law.

  • The DNA Dead-End: Samples were sent to the US for testing in 2012. Results showed the presence of two "outsiders," yet no matches were ever made or pursued aggressively among high-profile suspects.

3. State-Sponsered Silence

The case mirrors the tragic reality of Gaza’s journalists, where the killers of members of the press operate with total impunity. In Bangladesh, this impunity wasn't enforced by bombs, but by bureaucratic paralysis. By failing to solve this case, the state sent a clear message to all investigative reporters: Some secrets are worth more than your life.


The Human Cost: A Child Without Answers

The most tragic figure in this saga is Megh, the son who is now a young man. He has grown up in a country that celebrated his parents’ work but refused to find their killers. In late 2024, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus met with Megh, gifting him a plot of land—a gesture of state sympathy, but one that many say is a poor substitute for the justice his family is owed.

The Verdict of History

As the 2026 elections approach, the Sagar-Runi case remains the ultimate litmus test for the interim government. Will the PBI task force finally submit a report by the new January 5, 2026 deadline, or will it be extension number 123?

Until the masterminds behind the West Rajabazar massacre are brought to light, the "freedom of the press" in Bangladesh remains a hollow phrase, written in the blood of two of its finest.


Do you believe the recent political shift in Bangladesh will finally allow the truth about the energy sector "killer squads" to be revealed?

🔗 Investigative Sources:

▪️ BSS: Probe report in Sagar-Runi murder case set for January 5, 2026

▪️ Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ): Profile of Meherun Runi and Investigation Motives

▪️ Prothom Alo: 13 years of Sagar-Runi murder case - Almost no investigation for six years

▪️ The Daily Star: High Court orders high-powered task force for Sagar-Runi case

Read more…

The diplomatic landscape of South Asia is currently experiencing a seismic shift. In Bangladesh, a youth-led revolution has transformed from a domestic uprising into a tense international standoff with India. Simultaneously, thousands of miles away, the Canadian government has leveled unprecedented charges against Indian state actors.

This report investigates the overlapping allegations of transnational repression and foreign interference that have put New Delhi’s "neighborhood first" policy under intense global scrutiny.

Part 1: The Bangladesh Tinderbox (December 2025)

The fall of the Awami League government in August 2024 has left a vacuum filled by deep-seated resentment toward India. For the protesting students of Dhaka, India is not just a neighbor, but an active participant in the suppression of their democracy.

The Extradition Crisis: Sheikh Hasina

Following her conviction in absentia for crimes against humanity, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina remains in India. This has become the primary flashpoint for the "July Oikya" (July Unity) movement.

  • The Ultimatum: Protesters have demanded Hasina’s extradition by December 25, 2025, threatening to storm diplomatic missions if the deadline is not met.

  • Incendiary Rhetoric: Dhaka has formally protested against Hasina allegedly using Indian soil to release audio clips inciting her supporters to "terrorist acts" to disrupt the upcoming February 12, 2026, elections.

The Martyrdom of Sharif Osman Hadi

The death of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi in December 2025 has become the George Floyd moment for the Bangladeshi "Gen Z."

  • The Allegation: Protesters and the interim government claim the assailants who shot Hadi were Awami League fugitives protected by Indian intelligence. 

  • The Escape: There are widespread accusations that Indian agencies facilitated the escape of the primary suspect, Faisal Karim Masud, across the border to evade justice.


Part 2: The Canadian Connection—Transnational Repression

While Bangladesh accuses India of harboring political fugitives, Canada has accused India of the opposite: using criminal proxies to eliminate political dissidents on foreign soil.

The "Bishnoi Gang" Allegations

In a series of explosive reports throughout late 2024 and 2025, the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) and federal officials have linked Indian government agents to the Lawrence Bishnoi organized crime network.

  • The Mechanism: Intelligence gathered by Indian diplomats on Sikh activists (specifically those supporting the Khalistan movement) was allegedly passed to the Bishnoi gang to carry out extortions and assassinations.

  • The Victims: This network has been tied to the 2023 murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar and more recent violent incidents in Brampton and Mississauga in mid-2025.

  • The Order: Canadian officials have publicly named senior Indian cabinet members as being aware of, or directing, these operations—a claim India dismisses as "absurd and motivated."


Part 3: The Unifying Theme—Intelligence as a Political Tool

Whether in Dhaka or Ottawa, the accusations share a common DNA: the alleged use of intelligence apparatuses to influence internal political outcomes.

Region Accusation Strategic Objective (Alleged)
Bangladesh Harboring fugitives and inciting unrest. To weaken the interim government and restore a pro-India regime.
Canada Utilizing organized crime for assassinations. To silence the Sikh diaspora and protect domestic sovereignty.
United States Botched hit on Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. To eliminate leaders of the Khalistan movement globally.

The Diplomatic Fallout

The consequences of these investigations are already visible:

  1. Visa Suspensions: India has indefinitely suspended visa services in several Bangladeshi cities due to security threats.

  2. Expulsions: Canada and India have engaged in "tit-for-tat" expulsions of high-ranking diplomats, reducing missions to a skeletal staff.

  3. Global Trust Deficit: For the first time, India’s reputation as a "responsible democratic power" is being questioned by its closest Western allies (the Five Eyes) and its most vital neighbors.


As we head into the 2026 Bangladesh elections, can the region stabilize if the "Hasina Factor" remains unresolved?


🔗 Investigative Sources & Official Documents:

▪️ Al Jazeera: Protests Escalate in Bangladesh After Death of Hadi

▪️ The Pointer: Sikhs Targeted by Indian-Backed Criminal Groups in Canada

▪️ UK Parliament: The Fall of the Hasina Government and Recent Developments

▪️ UN News: Bangladesh Protests Probe Reveals Systematic Repression

▪️ The Hindu: Why the Death of Sharif Osman Hadi Has Triggered a Crisis

Read more…

The political landscape of South Asia underwent a seismic shift in August 2024 when Sheikh Hasina, the world’s longest-serving female head of government, fled Dhaka. While her tenure was long celebrated by international investors for "the Bangladesh miracle"—a period of rapid GDP growth and infrastructure expansion—the sudden collapse of her 15-year rule has exposed a grim reality. What has emerged is a staggering ledger of enforced disappearances, systematic human rights violations, and a transnational web of financial fraud involving the Awami League and their global associates.

The Human Cost: Enforced Disappearances and "Aynaghar"

For over a decade, the term "Aynaghar" (The House of Mirrors) haunted the Bangladeshi collective consciousness. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have documented a relentless campaign of extrajudicial killings and secret detentions. Security forces, specifically the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), are alleged to have functioned as the regime's enforcement wing to silence dissent.

The victims were not just political rivals but also their families. High-profile cases include Amaan Azmi (son of Ghulam Azam) and the British-trained barrister Ahmad bin Quasem, both of whom were snatched from their homes in 2016 and disappeared into secret cells for years. The current International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) proceedings in 2025 are now seeking the extradition of former military commanders to answer for these crimes against humanity.

Financial Plunder: The $200 Billion Drain

The humanitarian crisis was shadowed by a financial scandal of unprecedented scale. Global investigators are currently tracing an estimated $234 billion siphoned out of Bangladesh during the Hasina era. The scheme allegedly involved inflated "mega-project" costs—notably the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant—and the systemic "bleeding" of state-owned banks.

The probe has brought intense scrutiny to the "First Family" and their inner circle:

  • Sheikh Rehana: Hasina’s sister has been a focal point of investigations regarding government land-grabs and the movement of capital into overseas real estate.

  • Tulip Siddiq MP: The British Labour MP and former City Minister (and niece of Sheikh Hasina) resigned from her UK government post in early 2025 following intense ethics probes. While she denies wrongdoing, investigators are looking into her alleged influence in facilitating British-Bangladeshi business deals and her mother's luxury property holdings in London.

  • Sajeeb Wazed Joy: Hasina’s son and former ICT advisor is under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for his links to offshore accounts and his role in the digital "surveillance state" that underpinned the regime.

  • Private Interest: Conglomerates like Beximco Group (Salman F. Rahman) and S Alam Group are accused of effectively "capturing" the banking sector to fund portfolios in Mayfair, London, and Singapore.

India’s Geopolitical Gamble

The survival of the Hasina regime was inextricably linked to the unwavering support of New Delhi. For years, the Modi administration viewed Hasina as the sole guarantor of regional stability and a bulwark against Islamist extremism. This "linear" foreign policy favored Indian strategic interests—such as transit rights and energy deals—often at the cost of turning a blind eye to democratic erosion.

However, this patronage has fostered deep-seated "India Out" sentiments among the Bangladeshi youth. By late 2025, Indian diplomats have begun a delicate recalibration, acknowledging that by propping up a single party, they may have alienated the next generation of Bangladeshi leaders.

The Road to Accountability

As Bangladesh navigates its transition under the interim leadership of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, the demand for justice is absolute. For the international community and geopolitical analysts, the "Hasina Saga" serves as a stark warning: the perceived stability of an autocrat is rarely a substitute for the rule of law.


Sources

◌ United Nations News: Bangladesh Prosecutions for Enforced Disappearances

◌ Transparency International UK: £400 Million Property Scandal Investigation

◌ The Guardian: Tulip Siddiq Resigns Amid Bangladesh Corruption Probe

◌ Al Jazeera: The 'India Out' Campaign and Regional Recalibration 

Read more…
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