Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has set aside the detention order issued against a Bengaluru resident who was wrongly suspected of being a Bangladeshi national, bringing an end to his nearly year-long struggle to prove his Indian citizenship.
Rafikul Biswas, 32, a native of West Bengal living in Bengaluru, had been detained in September 2025 on suspicion of being an illegal Bangladeshi immigrant. He spent two months in detention before being released on medical grounds, but continued facing legal uncertainty despite repeatedly asserting his Indian nationality.
Election Commission confirms citizenship
During the hearing, the Election Commission informed the Karnataka High Court that Biswas’ Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC), issued after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) conducted in West Bengal, was genuine.
The poll body also confirmed that Biswas’ family had been residing in India for generations, strengthening his claim to Indian citizenship.
The verification came after both Biswas and his family successfully completed the Special Intensive Revision process conducted by election authorities.
Months-long legal battle ends
Despite the West Bengal government certifying that he was an Indian citizen, Biswas had continued to face difficulties proving his identity following his detention.
The High Court’s decision has now brought relief to the 32-year-old, ending an ordeal that lasted more than 11 months.
The case has drawn attention to the challenges faced by individuals wrongly suspected of being illegal immigrants and highlights the importance of thorough verification before detention.
Court order brings relief
The High Court’s decision effectively cancels the detention order against Biswas, allowing him to move forward after months of legal and personal hardship.
The case also underscores the significance of official identity verification by constitutional authorities such as the Election Commission in resolving citizenship-related disputes.