A pregnant woman, Sunali Khatun, wrongly deported to Bangladesh as an "illegal immigrant," is set to return to India following a judicial order. The Calcutta High Court has directed the Union government to bring back Sunali Khatun, her husband, and their child within four weeks, coordinating with the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.

Sunali Khatun, a 23-year-old woman who is eight months pregnant, along with her husband Danish Sekh, and their young son, were allegedly picked up in Delhi during an "identity verification drive" on June 24 and deported to Bangladesh two days later. Her father, Bodu Sekh, claimed that his daughter and her family are Indian citizens and permanent residents of Birbhum district. He stated that they were deported without a fair hearing or proper verification, and that his daughter was treated like a foreigner despite being an Indian citizen.

The Calcutta High Court criticized authorities for acting in haste and disregarding constitutional safeguards during the deportation process. The court had directed the government to facilitate the return of all six individuals, including Sunali Khatun, within four weeks of the order. The Centre, however, had expressed intentions to appeal the ruling in the Supreme Court.

Sunali and five others were arrested by the Border Guard Bangladesh for illegal entry and imprisoned in Chapainawabganj, in the north of the country. The family's deportation has raised concerns about the citizenship of Sunali's child if born in Bangladesh. Her family in India fears that her child may be born in a foreign land, triggering a complex citizenship crisis. "I pray that my grandchild is born in my country,” said Bhodu Sheikh, Sunali's father.

Advocate Supratik Shyamal noted the High Court has heard the case twice and directed the Delhi government to present all relevant documents. He expressed concerns about the uncertainty of the family's whereabouts and the alarming situation of deporting a pregnant woman.

The incident has sparked political reactions, with Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee condemning the deportation as a cruel campaign against Bengalis. State Minister Shashi Panja questioned the legality of deporting Indian citizens born in Bengal.

This case occurs amidst intensified drives against undocumented migrants in several Indian states. The Calcutta High Court's intervention underscores the need for due process and respect for constitutional rights in such actions.