The vanishing power players: Where are Hasina’s men now?

As legal proceedings unfold at the International Crime Tribunal and the local courts, the whereabouts of many key figures in Sheikh Hasina's inner circle, responsible for the deadly crackdown during the July-August uprising, remain unknown.

With nearly a thousand dead and countless others injured during the mass uprising, the disappearance of these high-profile leaders continues to fuel outrage among the families of the victims, deepening the sense of injustice.

Yet neither the tribunal nor the law enforcement agencies have been able to track down these individuals, several of whom face hundreds of charges of murder and crimes against humanity.

Hasina fled the country on 5 August and is currently in Delhi. Since then, a small group of top figures, along with around 10,000 individuals, mostly lower-ranking members linked to the Awami League's affiliated wings, have been arrested.

Among Hasina's top brass currently in custody are Salman F Rahman, Anisul Huq, Farhad Hossain, Dipu Moni, Abdur Razzaque, Faruk Khan, Shamsul Haque Tuku, Tipu Munshi, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, and Shahjahan Khan. Dozens of lawmakers have also been apprehended.

However, many other senior leaders remain in hiding.

Awami League sources told The Business Standard that nearly one-third of the party's senior leaders and former ministers have managed to flee Bangladesh via land borders.

Many are believed to be hiding in India, while those holding foreign visas or dual citizenship have reportedly relocated to Europe or other safe havens.

Meanwhile, Hasina remains actively engaged with her party, maintaining regular communication with former MPs and ministers. 

"This communication primarily occurs through WhatsApp groups consisting of 30-40 MPs and former ministers," said AFM Bahauddin Nasim, a former MP and party joint secretary, in an interview with Indian media. Nasim is also believed to be in India. 

Escaping ministers 

Obaidul Quader, Awami League's general secretary and former transport minister, is currently in India, according to at least three party insiders. 

After the fall of Hasina's government, there were rumours that Quader was hiding in two different locations – Jashore and Sylhet, an intelligence official told The Business Standard. 

"However, we found that he is no longer in Bangladesh, and may be in India now," said the official. "He probably fled Bangladesh in late August, taking advantage of the chaos caused by severe flash floods in the country's southeast." 

Mohammad Ali Arafat, former state minister for Information, is also believed to have fled the country. "Some say he is in the US; a close confidant also says he is in a European country now," a party insider claimed. 

Arafat, infamous for calling martyr Abu Sayed a "drug addict" during the July uprising, reappeared on social media on 11 November, resuming regular posts on his verified X account. 

His posts criticise the interim government and advocate political freedom.

Former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal was recently spotted in Kolkata's Eco Park, with sources saying he was seeking refuge in Delhi or Dubai. 

He had overseen security operations that resulted in mass casualties during the protests. Last week, he was interviewed by an Indian newspaper, though details about his current location remain vague.

Sources said former liberation war affairs minister Mozammel Haque is currently in India and was recently interviewed by Indian media.

Former foreign minister Hasan Mahmud fled Bangladesh through the Akhaura border in September, with assistance from an Indian IT businessman, according to a party leader in hiding in India. 

After crossing into Tripura, Mahmud traveled to Delhi in an attempt to meet Sheikh Hasina. Following several unsuccessful attempts to engage with her, he moved to Belgium, where his family resides. He holds dual citizenship.

Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, former land minister, is under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission for allegedly siphoning off vast sums to purchase luxury properties in London, Dubai and Singapore. 

The investigative unit of Al Jazeera confirmed his presence in the UK.

Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, former state minister for shipping, is currently in the UK, according to party insiders. Besides, former fisheries and livestock minister Abdur Rahman was also spotted in the UK.

Mahbubul Alam Hanif, former MP and party Joint Secretary, in a recent interview with The Indian Express, said at least one third of the party's top leaders are currently hiding abroad.

However, he did not clarify the legal status under which they are staying overseas.

Influentials outside cabinet

Shamim Osman, another controversial Awami League leader, was reportedly spotted in Delhi in November and later in Dubai in December, with photos and videos shared by the Bangladeshi diaspora in these locations.

Meanwhile, several prominent members of the banned student wing Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) are also believed to be in India. 

Saddam Hussain, current BCL president, and Sheikh Wali Asif Enan, its general secretary, are both said to be in India, with Saddam having participated in multiple Indian media talk shows in December. 

Besides, former BCL general secretary Golam Rabbani was recently spotted by Indian media in Kolkata.