New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India (SC) on Wednesday directed the Central government to bring back Sunali Khatun — a pregnant woman who had earlier been deported to Bangladesh — along with her eight-year-old son, on purely humanitarian grounds.
According to the Court’s order, the home state — West Bengal — government will oversee the welfare of the minor, while the Chief Medical Officer of Birbhum district must ensure full medical support for Sunali.
During proceedings, the Centre stated that the “competent authority” had agreed to allow re-entry of the woman and her son solely on humanitarian grounds, affirming they would be kept under appropriate surveillance upon their return.
The Court clarified that the relief granted — return to India and medical care — does not prejudge the larger issue of citizenship or legal status of Sunali, her child, or other family members. Those questions remain pending.
While senior advocates argued for inclusion of her husband and other deportees still in Bangladesh, the Bench limited the present order to Sunali and her child. Further hearings on the status of accompanying family members have been slated for December 12.
The woman’s family claims they were living as daily-wage labourers in Delhi’s Rohini area for over two decades before being detained and deported in June. Their sudden deportation and subsequent arrest in Bangladesh drew widespread attention, especially given Sunali’s pregnancy and the presence of a young child.
