Calcutta High Court has annulled the decision to send Sonali Bibi and her family to Bangladesh. The Court directed the central government to bring them back to India within four weeks.
Kolkata: Recently, Sonali Bibi, a pregnant woman from Birbhum, was deported to Bangladesh with her husband and eight-year-old son. The Calcutta High Court made b remarks on this decision and subsequently annulled it. The Court ordered the central government to bring Sonali and her family back to India within four weeks.
Order for Return Within Four Weeks
On Friday, a division bench comprising Justice Tapobrata Chakraborty and Justice Ritabrata Kumar Mitra heard the case. The court clearly stated that the decision to send Sonali to Bangladesh was incorrect. The central government was directed to bring Sonali, her husband, and her son back to India within four weeks. The central government had previously appealed to stay this order, which the High Court rejected.
Sonali Bibi hails from Paikar in Birbhum and had been living in Delhi for many years for work. She resided with her husband, Danish Sheikh, and their eight-year-old son in Sector 26, Rohini area. For nearly two decades, she has been working in Delhi as a domestic helper and rag-picker.
Arrest and Deportation to Bangladesh
Sonali's family claims that on June 18, police from KN Katju Marg police station in Delhi detained them on suspicion of being Bangladeshi. Following this, Sonali and five others were sent to Bangladesh, where they were arrested in the Chapainawabganj district. Sonali is currently nine months pregnant, which had increased the family's concerns.
Habeas Corpus Petition
Sonali's father filed a habeas corpus petition in the High Court. His lawyer informed the court that Sonali is an Indian citizen and not Bangladeshi. To substantiate this claim, land documents, her father's and grandfather's voter cards, and Sonali's child's birth certificate were presented. Delhi Police argued that there was doubt about Sonali's Indian nationality and that an opinion had been sought from the Bangladesh government, but no response had been received yet.
Delhi Police and Central Government's Stance
Delhi Police had requested that the case be heard in Delhi as the primary parties—Delhi Police, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Foreigners Regional Registration Office—are located in Delhi. However, the High Court, while hearing the habeas corpus petition, directed that Sonali be brought back to India soon.
Relief for the Family
Following the High Court's order, Sonali's family is currently feeling relieved. There had been ongoing concern within the family due to her pregnancy. Now that Sonali and her family's return is assured, several questions, such as the citizenship of a child born abroad and difficulties in returning to India, have been resolved.
Family and Local Leaders' Reactions
Sonali's father expressed gratitude for the Calcutta High Court's order. He also thanked Mamata Banerjee and Rajya Sabha MP Samirul Islam for helping his family. He stated that Delhi Police had sent Sonali to Bangladesh without proper investigation.
