Govt in SC agrees to return pregnant woman, child deported to Bangladesh on ‘humanitarian grounds’

The Union Government on Wednesday (December 3, 2025) agreed to bring back a pregnant woman and her eight-year-old son deported to Bangladesh on solely “humanitarian grounds” following an intervention by the Supreme Court.

A Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi recorded in the order the Centre’s assurance that the woman, Sonali Khatoon, would be provided free care and the necessary facilities, taking into consideration her medical condition. The court further asked the authorities to provide day-to-day care of the child too.

The order came in a special leave petition filed by the Union Government against a Calcutta High Court decision in September to bring back the deportees. The High Court order was based on a petition filed by the woman’s father, Bhodu Sekh. The previous hearing had seen the apex court urge the Centre to bring back the heavily pregnant woman and her eight-year-old son on humanitarian grounds. The court said the mother and child ought not to be separated.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, for the Union government, stressed that the mother and child would be brought back via official channels solely on humanitarian grounds, and the gesture should not prejudice the case of the Union government in favour of the merits of the deportation order. Mr. Mehta said the government did not want to set a bad precedent.

Mr. Sekh had submitted in the High Court that his family hailed from West Bengal and migrated to Delhi for work and a better life.

Following an identity verification drive triggered by a Home Ministry notification of May 2, Mr. Sekh had alleged his daughter, grandson and son-in-law were illegally picked up, detained and deported to Bangladesh on June 26. 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 Indian citizens.

Mr. Mehta informed the court about a contempt petition filed by Mr. Sekh, represented by senior advocate Sanjay Hegde, against the Centre for not complying with the High Court order. Justice Joymalya Bagchi, on the Bench, said the Union government should not be worried about the contempt petition considering the fact that the apex court was seized of the case now.

However, Justice Bagchi orally suggested to the Union government to enquire into whether Mr. Sekh was an Indian citizen. If so, through the biological connection, the daughter and the grandson would also be considered Indian nationals.

The court scheduled the case for further hearing on December 10.