In a significant development following a Supreme Court directive, 26-year-old Sunali Khatun and her eight-year-old son Sabir re-entered India on Friday evening—five months after they were wrongfully detained in New Delhi and deported to Bangladesh on suspicion of being undocumented migrants. Their case has sparked national debate over mistaken identity, citizenship verification and the treatment of vulnerable communities.
Detained on mere suspicion and pushed across the border
Sunali, originally from Birbhum in West Bengal, was detained along with four family members from a slum in Katju Nagar, New Delhi, earlier this year. Police officers reportedly suspected the group of being illegal Bangladeshi migrants solely based on their mother tongue.
According to case documents, the family was subsequently pushed across the border—an action that later came under legal scrutiny for violating due process and fundamental rights.
Sunali, who was pregnant at the time of her detention, faced severe hardship in Bangladesh, living in uncertain conditions while trying to prove her identity and legality.
Return facilitated after Supreme Court intervention
At around 7 pm on Friday, Sunali and her son walked back into India through the Indo-Bangladesh border in Malda, North Bengal. They were received by an official of the Ministry of External Affairs.
Following protocol, she was taken to the Mehedipur BSF camp and then rushed to Malda Medical College and Hospital for medical evaluation due to the advanced stage of her pregnancy.
The Supreme Court had recently directed the Centre to bring back the mother and child on “humanitarian grounds” after a thorough verification process confirmed that Sunali was indeed an Indian citizen.
The case was contested by the Trinamool Congress (TMC)-led West Bengal government, which argued that the deportation was unlawful and traumatic.
TMC calls return a ‘historic moment’
TMC Rajya Sabha MP and chairman of the West Bengal Migrant Workers’ Welfare Board, Samirul Islam, publicly welcomed the development. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote:
“Finally, after a long battle against the Bangla-Birodhi Zamindars, Sunali Khatun and her minor son have returned to India. This day will be remembered as a historic moment that exposes the torture and atrocities inflicted on poor Bengalis.”
Islam alleged that despite the Supreme Court’s clear order, the Centre had not acted promptly to enable the family’s return.
“Our advocates were compelled to mention the matter once again before the Supreme Court today. Only then was the return finally made possible,” he added.
He further noted that Sunali suffered “six months of unimaginable hardship” after being forced out of the country while pregnant.
Legal and human rights concerns raised
The incident has renewed concerns over:
- wrongful profiling of migrants,
- the vulnerability of poor linguistic minorities,
- and the need for stringent verification protocols before deportation.
Legal experts have pointed out that deportation without thorough due process violates constitutional protections, including the right to life, personal liberty and dignity.
Human rights groups have called for a review of similar cases to ensure no other Indian citizens are mistakenly removed from the country.
(For analysis on citizenship and human rights, see:
How wrongful detentions impact migrant communities
Legal protections for vulnerable citizens in India)
Medical evaluation and next steps
Officials at Malda Medical College reported that Sunali is undergoing medical checks due to her advanced pregnancy and months of stress. Doctors stated that further reports will determine whether she requires specialised care or transfer to a higher medical facility.
Authorities are now expected to review the chain of events leading to her deportation, and whether accountability measures will be taken against those involved in the unlawful removal.
The West Bengal government has stated that it will provide legal and social support to Sunali and her family as they reintegrate into their home district of Birbhum.