Calcutta High Court Orders Return of Six Deported Individuals to Bengal

The Calcutta High Court recently ordered the return of six individuals, including a pregnant woman, who were deported to Bangladesh earlier this year. The court deemed the deportation "illegal" and instructed the Union Home Ministry to facilitate their return to West Bengal within four weeks. This decision has sparked significant political reactions in Bengal.

The Centre intends to challenge this ruling in the Supreme Court. Trinamool Congress leaders Abhishek Banerjee and Shashi Panja have accused the BJP of targeting Bengalis following the verdict. Banerjee expressed his views on X, stating that the court's decision exposes a systematic campaign against Bengalis.

High Court's Decision on Deportation

A Division Bench comprising Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty and Justice Reetobroto Kumar Mitra rejected the Centre's plea to delay the order. The Supreme Court had previously directed the High Court to prioritise hearing Sunali Khatun's case, who is among those deported.

The six individuals, from two families in Birbhum district, were arrested by Delhi Police in Rohini on June 26. They were later deported by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) due to suspicions of lacking valid documents and speaking Bengali. The High Court labelled this as a "wrongful pushback" and mandated their return within a month.

Political Reactions

Abhishek Banerjee welcomed the court's decision while criticising the BJP for allegedly harassing Bengalis. He stated, "The Hon'ble Calcutta High Court has held the FRRO (Delhi) detention and deportation order unlawful This judgement lays bare a cruel and systematic campaign of harassment aimed at Bengalis."

State minister Shashi Panja also criticised the deportation process. She questioned how Indian citizens born in Bengal could be forcibly sent to Bangladesh. At a press briefing, she remarked, "She [Sunali Khatun] is an Indian citizen. She was working in Delhi, but you sent her to Bangladesh. Who has done this? This deportation is illegal."

The Centre has informed the court of its plan to approach the Supreme Court regarding this ruling. The case continues to stir political discourse in Bengal as parties debate its implications.