Bangladesh Court Orders Repatriation of 6 Citizens Pushed Back by Delhi Police

The Chapai Nawabganj Court in Bangladesh has clearly stated that all six individuals, including three minors and an eight-month pregnant woman from Birbhum, West Bengal, who were victims of the pushback by Delhi police, are Indian citizens.

The concerned Bangladesh Court made this observation based on their Aadhaar cards and address while they were held in custody at the Nawabganj Jail. Furthermore, the court has directed the Indian High commission in Bangladesh to take necessary steps to repatriate them to India, affirming that they are Indian nationals.

A hearing was held at the court of the Senior Judicial Magistrate in Chapai Nawabganj Court of Bangladesh regarding the six individuals who were arrested by the Bangladesh Police on charges of being “intruders”. In an order dated September 30, 2025, the court instructed that these individuals be recognised as Indian nationals and directed the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh to initiate steps for their repatriation.

“It is most surprising that they were pushed back to Bangladesh although they have authentic Indian citizenship documents”, said Ujjal Sarkar, Assistant Secretary of West Bengal Migrant Workers Union. He further stated that this order (Bangladesh court) once again proves how innocent Bengali-speaking poor and marginalised migrant workers were being deported to Bangladesh after being falsely branded as “foreigners”.

It is notable that on September 26, a division bench of the Calcutta High Court, Justice Tarabrata Chakraborty and Justice Reetobroto Kumar Mitra, had told the Central government that the deported persons must be brought back to the country within four weeks of the communication of court order. But even after a fortnight, the Central government did not take any initiative to implement this directive of the Calcutta High Court. Now, the Bangladesh Nababganj Court has given the same order.

What Happened to Birbhum’s Migrant Workers?

Paikar is a village located in Murarai 2 Block of Birbhum district, approximately 265 kilometers from Kolkata. Paikar and Kashimpur are two adjacent villages under the Paikar gram panchayat. The majority of the families here belong to the minority Muslim community and are economically disadvantaged. There is no employment opportunity in the area. As a result, most residents are compelled to migrate outside the state to work as migrant labourers for their survival.  

From the Fakir Para area of Paikar village, Sonali Khatun, along with her husband Danish Sheikh and their 6-year-old daughter Afrin, had travelled to Delhi in search of work. However, they were unable to find suitable work. To survive, they began collecting discarded items, such as old newspapers, plastic and other waste materials from the streets of Delhi and used to sell these collected items to shops that buy recyclable materials at low prices. They managed to make a meagre living. Sonali Khatun continued working despite being eight months pregnant at that time.

After working hard all day, the family used to live in a makeshift hut. On June 17, the Delhi Police raided their area. At that time, police raids were being carried out in multiple locations targeting Bengali-speaking individuals. The police entered Sonali’s hut and took them into police custody. They were termed as Bangladeshis, despite showing their Aadhaar card and other identity documents.

On June 24, Delhi Police released their daughter Aafrin, and Sonali and Danish were forcibly pushed across the border into Bangladesh. “With no means of survival, my daughter and son-in- law had to beg for food for a few days. Eventually, Bangladesh Police arrested them on charges of illegal entry”, said Bhadu Sheikh, Sonali’s father.

Sonali’s daughter Aafrin with her grandmother Jyostnara Bibi at their home in Paikar village, Birbhum.

Following their arrest, the couple is now being held at the Nawabganj Jail in Bangladesh.

Speaking to this reporter, Jyotsnara Bibi, Sonali’s mother said, “My daughter spoke to us over a video call from Bangladesh and shared the hardships they were facing. My daughter is expecting a child, she is eight months pregnant. We went to the local panchayat, the police station, but nothing helped.”

Aafrin, the minor daughter of the detained couple, shared her emotional turmoil. “My studies have stopped. I do not even know where my parents are”. With tears in her eyes, Aafrin made a desperate appeal, “Please bring back my parents”.

In a separate but similar case, Suiti Bibi, resident of Paikar village, was working as a tailor in Delhi. Delhi Police labelled her and her sons, Kurban (16) and Imon (6), as Bangladeshi nationals and deported them to Bangladesh. They, too, are now being held at the Nawabganj Jail.

The affected families from Paikar village have sought legal recourse amid growing uncertainty. In a significant development, the Calcutta High Court has issued an order directing the Union government that the victims be brought back from Bangladesh.

Adding to their hopes, the Nawabganj Court of Bangladesh has also passed a similar directive to the High Commission of India in Bangladesh for repatriation of the detainedindividuals. However, despite a court order from Bangladesh, it remains unclear what steps have been taken by the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh to facilitate their return.

Several people in Bengal say the Bangladesh court’s order to repatriate the deported Indians is a crucial step toward bringing back those who were allegedly pushed back unjustly.

Suraj Sheikh, brother of Sonali Khatun, told this reporter: “We have been wronged, even though we possess a 1955 document, the Central government labelled us as Bangladeshi”.  

Following the Calcutta High Court directive, Mafizul Sheikh, a resident of Paikar village, travelled to Bangladesh and spoke with jailed families. “They were crying a lot, and repeatedly asked when they would be able to return home” he said, adding that Sonali was deeply worried about her unborn child.

Meanwhile, people of Bengal have been appealing for immediate and dignified return of those who were wrongfully detained and deported to Bangladesh.

(All photographs taken by Madhu Sudan Chatterjee)

The writer covers the Jangal Mahal region for ‘Ganashakti’ newspaper in West Bengal.