After months of legal battles and uncertainty, Sunali Khatun, a 26-year-old pregnant woman, has returned to India with her son, Sabir. The homecoming occurred on Friday evening, December 5, 2025, through the Mahadipur border in the Malda district of West Bengal.
Sunali's ordeal began in June when she, along with her husband and son, were detained in Delhi on suspicion of being Bangladeshi nationals. Despite possessing documents suggesting Indian citizenship, including land deeds dating back to 1952 and electoral rolls listing her parents as voters, they were deported to Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, Sunali, her husband, and her son were arrested for illegal entry.
The deportation was challenged in the Calcutta High Court, which termed it "illegal". The case eventually reached the Supreme Court, where a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi criticized the Centre for deporting individuals without due process. The Supreme Court took a humanitarian view of the situation, especially considering Sunali's advanced stage of pregnancy. The court directed the Union government to facilitate her return to India with her son. The Union government agreed to bring Sunali Khatun and her minor son back from Bangladesh on humanitarian grounds after the Supreme Court’s intervention.
Upon her return, Sunali and her son were taken to the BSF camp at Mehedipur for formalities and then to Malda Medical College and Hospital for medical tests. Doctors have reported that while her condition is stable, her blood count is low, and she will remain under observation. If deemed fit to travel by doctors, she will be transported to her residence at Dorjee Para in Paikar village, Birbhum district. The Supreme Court has directed the Birbhum medical officer to provide her with free pregnancy-related healthcare.
While Sunali has returned, her husband, Danish Sheikh, remains in Bangladesh. Along with Danish, Sweety Bibi and her two sons are also awaiting repatriation. The Supreme Court has ordered their repatriation as well, but there is no clarity on when they will be brought back.
Samirul Islam, a TMC MP, hailed Sunali's return as a "historic moment" and a "victory against injustice". He criticized the central government for its initial inaction and highlighted the suffering Sunali and her child endured.
The case has raised concerns about the procedures followed during deportations and the need to uphold the rights of individuals, especially those claiming Indian citizenship. The Supreme Court emphasized that authorities must ascertain citizenship before pushing individuals back across the border. The court also questioned why action had not been taken against Sunali's father, Bhodu Sekh, on the grounds that he is a Bangladeshi national, which would imply that he is an Indian citizen. The court has scheduled a further hearing on December 12 to address the repatriation of the remaining individuals and related issues.
