The Center told the Supreme Court that it would bring back those allegedly “pushed” to Bangladesh

Supreme Court of India. File | Photo credit: S. Subramanium

The Center on Friday (May 22, 2026) informed the Supreme Court of India that it will bring back to India several people whose families were allegedly “driven” to Bangladesh and verify their citizenship applications upon their return.

“The government will bring them back and then examine their status. Depending on the outcome, appropriate action will be taken,” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said.

The court remanded the case for hearing in July.

The Supreme Court was hearing the Centre’s plea challenging the Calcutta High Court’s September 26, 2025 order quashing the Union government’s decision to deport Sunali Khatun and some others to Bangladesh, calling them “illegal”. On December 3 last year, the Supreme Court allowed only Ms Khatun and her eight-year-old child to enter India on “humanitarian grounds”. The other deportees were not counted with them.

Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Sanjay Hegde, who appeared for Ms Khatun Bhodu Sekh’s father, repeatedly sought hearings in court. Mr. Mehta’s submission came as a relief to the petitioner’s side.

Mr Sekh alleged that his daughter, grandson and son-in-law were illegally picked up, detained and deported to Bangladesh on June 26 last year following an identity check triggered by a Home Ministry notification.

Mr. Sekh claimed to be a permanent resident of West Bengal and his daughter and son-in-law were Indian citizens by origin. The Center claimed that the deportees had not produced any documentary evidence to prove that they were Indians.

Published – 22 May 2026 22:30 IST