The Supreme Court has allowed a pregnant Bangladeshi woman and her eight-year-old daughter to enter India on humanitarian grounds. According to information, the woman was sent across the border to Bangladesh a few months ago.
New Delhi: In a significant and humanitarian decision, the Supreme Court of India has granted permission for a pregnant Bangladeshi woman and her eight-year-old daughter to enter India. This decision was made on humanitarian grounds. It has been reported that this woman was deported from India to Bangladesh a few months ago.
The bench of Chief Justice Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi heard this sensitive case, recorded the consent of the Central Government, and issued necessary medical and administrative directives.
Central Government's Consent Recorded
During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the competent authority of the Central Government has agreed to grant entry to the woman and her daughter into India on humanitarian grounds. He also clarified that both would be kept under official surveillance.
The Supreme Court stated in its order that the woman, Sunali Khatun, and her minor daughter would be brought back to Delhi. Previously, on June 27, both were sent across the border to Bangladesh from Delhi itself.
Directives to West Bengal Government and CMO
The court has entrusted the West Bengal government with the responsibility of ensuring proper care for the child. Additionally, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Birbhum district has been instructed to provide all possible medical assistance to the pregnant woman, Sunali Khatun. The bench also stated that considering the pregnant woman's health condition, both the state and central governments must act with full sensitivity and responsibility.
In this case, Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal and Sanjay Hegde presented arguments on behalf of the petitioner. They stated that Sunali Khatun's husband and other family members are also currently stranded in Bangladesh and it is necessary to bring them back to India as well. Both senior advocates requested the court that the Solicitor General seek further instructions from the Central Government in this regard, so that the entire family can get relief.
Central Government's Stance
However, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta opposed the claim that all those stranded in Bangladesh are Indian citizens. He informed the court that according to preliminary records, they are Bangladeshi citizens. Mehta clarified that only the woman and her daughter are being allowed to enter India under humanitarian consideration, so that she can receive proper medical treatment during her pregnancy.
In this matter, the woman's father has leveled serious allegations. According to him, Sunali Khatun and her family had been living in Delhi's Rohini Sector-26 area for about 20 years. Family members were earning their livelihood through daily wage labor. The family alleges that on June 18, Delhi Police detained them on suspicion of being Bangladeshi, and then on June 27, they were sent across the border to Bangladesh. Following this, considering the woman's pregnancy, the matter reached the Supreme Court.
