Paikar, West Bengal – In a village in Birbhum district, West Bengal, emotions are sharply divided as Sunali Khatun, 26, and her eight-year-old son, Shabir, have returned home after months of detention in Bangladesh. While their family rejoices, a kilometer away, another family continues to grapple with the agonizing absence of their daughter, Sweety Bibi, 32, and her two sons, Kurban, 16, and Imam, 6, who remain in Bangladesh.

Sunali, along with her husband Danish Sheikh, their son Shabir, and her cousin Sweety Bibi with her two sons, were apprehended in Delhi in June during a crackdown on individuals suspected of being "illegal immigrants". They were then deported to Guwahati and subsequently pushed across the border into Bangladesh under the order of Delhi's Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). Bangladeshi authorities arrested them on August 21.

The Calcutta High Court had quashed the deportation order, citing procedural errors, and directed that all six be brought back to India. This decision was challenged in the Supreme Court, which, on December 3, ordered the Centre to bring back Sunali and her son on humanitarian grounds, particularly due to her advanced pregnancy.

The return of Sunali and Shabir on Saturday brought tears of relief to their family. However, it has deepened the sorrow for Sweety's family, who are still waiting for her and her sons' return. Sweety’s mother, Rozina Bibi, 50, voiced her distress, questioning why her daughter was not allowed to return when the High Court had ordered all six to be brought back.

Sweety's third child, Imran, 10, who lives with his grandparents, has been constantly asking about his mother's whereabouts. "They took my mother," he said. "When will they return her to me?". Rozina Bibi expressed the difficulty of explaining the situation to him, especially with the news of Sunali's return.

The family's hardship is compounded by Sweety being the sole provider since her husband, Azizul Dewan, went missing in Tamil Nadu four years ago. She worked as a house help in Delhi to support her three sons and ailing parents.

According to Rozina, all six individuals were initially brought to the border, but Sweety and her children were not permitted to cross, with authorities stating it would take another two to three days. Rozina says she has been hearing similar assurances since September 26, when the Calcutta High Court initially ordered their return.

Samirul Islam, chairperson of the West Bengal Migrant Workers' Welfare Board, stated that the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear Sweety's case again on December 12. He expressed hope that Sweety, along with her two minor children, and Sunali's husband will also be permitted to return home.

Lipika Burman Ghosh, Sabhadhipati of Malda Zilla Parishad, who was present at the border during Sunali's repatriation, questioned why the remaining four individuals were still stuck in Bangladesh, despite the Supreme Court's order for their repatriation.

Sunali and her son were detained at the Chapai Nawabganj correctional facility in Bangladesh from August 20. On December 1, a judicial magistrate granted them bail on a bond of Tk 5,000 each. Following her return, Sunali, who is in an advanced stage of pregnancy, was taken to Malda Medical College and Hospital for medical tests.

The situation highlights the complexities and human cost of immigration policies, as one family rejoices while another continues to endure the pain of separation and uncertainty.