Overview
- The bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi orally suggested a temporary return so the deported residents can receive a hearing and their records can be verified.
- The Centre is appealing a Calcutta High Court order that quashed the June deportations and directed repatriation within four weeks, citing procedural defects and lack of inquiry.
- The group includes pregnant Birbhum resident Sunali Khatun, her husband Danish Sekh, their minor son Sabir, and three others who were detained in Delhi on June 21 and deported on June 26; they remain in custody in Bangladesh.
- The Court noted that materials such as birth certificates, land records and electoral roll entries warrant verification before any final determination on nationality.
- The Union and Delhi Police maintain the detainees admitted Bangladeshi residency and lacked identity documents, while the Court stressed that removal of illegal entrants is justified only after proper inquiry and an opportunity to be heard.