Overview
- Sunali Khatun and her eight-year-old son crossed back at the Mahadipur checkpoint in Malda on Friday, were processed by officials and taken to Malda Medical College, then reached Birbhum on Saturday before being admitted to Rampurhat hospital for further care.
- Four others deported with her, including her husband, remain in Bangladesh despite High Court and Supreme Court directions, and there is no timeline for their return after they were granted bail on December 1.
- The Supreme Court criticised the Centre for deporting people without hearings, noting land records, electoral rolls and identity documents that contradicted police claims, and directed West Bengal to ensure free medical treatment for Sunali.
- The Union government told the court it would repatriate the mother and child on humanitarian grounds as it contests the larger case arising from a June pushback following FRRO and Delhi Police action in Delhi.
- The Centre’s appeal against the Calcutta High Court’s September 26 repatriation order is still pending, with the Supreme Court scheduling further hearing on December 12.