Centre revokes deportation of pregnant woman, child following Supreme Court’s intervention

December 3, 2025

New Delhi: The Union Government told the Supreme Court on December 3, 2025, that it would bring back Sunali Khatun, a pregnant woman deported to Bangladesh, along with her eight-year-old son, purely on humanitarian grounds.

The assurance came before a Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, which directed that she receive free medical care and necessary facilities, and that the child be provided day-to-day care.

The directive arose from the Centre’s special leave petition challenging the Calcutta High Court’s September order to return the deportees, following a plea by Sunali’s father, Bhodu Sekh. At an earlier hearing, the Supreme Court had emphasised that the mother and child should not be separated.

Government’s Position and Concerns

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that the return of the mother and child would occur through official channels, but stressed that the gesture must not affect the merits of the underlying deportation order, as the government did not wish to create a precedent.

The Centre has maintained that Sunali, her husband, and their child failed to produce documents proving Indian citizenship.

Claims of Illegal Deportation

Before the High Court, Mr. Sekh stated that his family originated from West Bengal and later moved to Delhi for work. He alleged that after a Home Ministry identity verification drive initiated on May 2, his daughter, grandson, and son-in-law were wrongfully picked up, detained, and deported to Bangladesh on June 26. He insisted they were Indian citizens by birth.

A contempt petition was subsequently filed for the government’s non-compliance with the High Court order. Justice Bagchi noted that the Union need not worry about contempt now that the Supreme Court was hearing the matter. He also suggested the Centre enquire into Mr. Sekh’s citizenship status, which could establish the citizenship of his daughter and grandson through biological lineage.

Next Hearing

The Supreme Court listed the case for further hearing on December 10.