Supreme Court of India. File
| Photo Credit: S. Subramanium
The Centre informed the Supreme Court of India on Friday (May 22, 2026) that it would bring back to India a few people whose families were alleged to have been “pushed” into Bangladesh, and would verify their citizenship claims upon their return.
“The government will bring them back and thereafter examine their status. Depending on the outcome, steps will be taken accordingly,” Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta submitted.
The court posted the matter for hearing in July.
The top court was hearing a plea of the Centre challenging a September 26, 2025, order of the Calcutta High Court that set aside the Union government’s decision to deport Sunali Khatun and some others to Bangladesh and termed it “illegal”. On December 3 last year, the top court allowed the entry of only Ms. Khatun and her eight-year-old child into India on “humanitarian grounds”. The others deported with them were not considered.
Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Sanjay Hegde, appearing for Ms. Khatun’s father Bhodu Sekh, had been repeatedly seeking a hearing in court. Mr. Mehta’s submission came as a relief to the petitioner’s side.
Mr. Sekh had alleged that his daughter, grandson and son-in-law were illegally picked up, detained and deported to Bangladesh on June 26 last year following an identity verification drive triggered by a Home Ministry notification.
Mr. Sekh had argued that he was a permanent resident of West Bengal and his daughter and son-in-law were Indian citizens by birth. The Centre had argued that the deportees failed to produce any documentary proof to show they were Indians.
Published – May 22, 2026 10:30 pm IST
