Sunali Khatun, a 26-year-old migrant worker from Birbhum, West Bengal, has returned to India after spending over 100 days in a Bangladeshi prison. Khatun, along with her minor son Sabir, was repatriated through the Malda border. She had been wrongfully deported earlier this year on suspicion of being a Bangladeshi national. The Supreme Court intervened and ordered her repatriation on humanitarian grounds.

Khatun, who is in the final stage of pregnancy, was arrested by Delhi Police in June on suspicion of illegal entry. She, along with her husband Danish Sheikh, son, and three members of another family, were deported to Bangladesh. They were apprehended in Delhi's Rohini, where Khatun worked as a domestic helper. "We kept saying we're Indian, residents of Bengal, but they didn't listen to us," Sunali recounted after returning to her village.

After a long legal battle, the Supreme Court intervened, emphasizing humanity over legal technicalities. A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi ordered the Centre to facilitate Sunali’s return "on humanitarian grounds," also directing the state to provide free medical support for her and ensure care for her child.

Khatun's deportation sparked a political row in West Bengal, with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) accusing the BJP of targeting Bengali migrant workers. According to Samirul Islam of the West Bengal Migrant Workers Welfare Board, Sunali and five others were deported for speaking Bengali, without proper verification from the Bengal government. He and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee supported her return.

Sunali is currently under medical supervision at Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital. She expressed immense gratitude to everyone who helped bring her and her son back. However, she voiced her fear for her husband, Danish, who remains unaccounted for, and concern for Sweety Bibi and her children, who are still awaiting return despite securing bail in Bangladesh. "Since my husband and others are still in Bangladesh, I appeal to all to bring them back," Sunali stated.

Sunali's father, Bhodu Sheikh, expressed his happiness and gratitude for his daughter's return and hoped for the safe return of others. He also mentioned Samirul Islam's help in the matter.

Sunali has stated that she will never return to Delhi, where they were initially apprehended by the Delhi Police. She recounted that despite their pleas of being Indian residents of Bengal, the police did not listen. She acknowledged that she was treated well by police and jail authorities in Bangladesh.