The Supreme Court has urged the Union government to consider the pleas for repatriation of four individuals, including the husband of Sunali Khatun, who were previously deported to Bangladesh in June. This appeal is grounded on humanitarian considerations, following the repatriation of Sunali Khatun and her son.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul M Pancholi acknowledged that Sunali Khatun had returned to India and was residing with her father. The West Bengal counsel, Kapil Sibal, along with Sanjay Hegde, representing Sunali's father, Bhodu Sekh, confirmed her return. The court inquired about the healthcare facilities being provided to Sunali, considering her advanced stage of pregnancy, and the state government assured that she was receiving the necessary medical attention.

Sibal and Hegde jointly appealed to the court and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to consider the repatriation of the remaining four individuals who were deported alongside Sunali. They asserted that they possess documentation to prove the Indian citizenship of these individuals. Mehta responded that the government would require time to verify these documents.

The bench stated that if the government considers it appropriate on humanitarian grounds to bring back the remaining individuals, it could proceed accordingly, without prejudice to its legal arguments in the case.

The Solicitor General brought attention to a report published on Friday regarding Sunali's case, suggesting that such publications were intended to create a narrative and influence public opinion. The Chief Justice-led bench responded by stating that while criticism of court orders and reporting of court proceedings are acceptable, attempts to influence public opinion through strategically timed newspaper publications are avoidable. The court noted the importance of responsible reporting, especially when a matter is sub-judice, while also affirming that judges are immune to media publications.

Sunali Khatun, along with her husband Danish Sheikh, their eight-year-old son Sabir, and Sweety Bibi with her two minor children, Kurban Sheikh and Iman, had been detained in a correctional facility in Chapai Nawabganj, Bangladesh, since August 20, after being accused of being "infiltrators". On December 1, a judicial magistrate in Chapai Nawabganj granted bail to Sunali Khatun, Sweety Bibi, and Danish Sheikh, each on a bond of Tk 5,000.

Sunali and Danish had been residing in Delhi for nearly two decades, working as ragpickers and domestic workers. They were apprehended by Katju Nagar police in Delhi on June 18 on suspicion of being Bangladeshi nationals. The family believes they were pushed back across the border near Birbhum.

Following their release on bail, the Chapai Nawabganj Model Police Station summoned Sunali, Sweety, Danish, and the others, causing fresh anxiety. The police clarified that they were not detained but were requested to visit the police station for security purposes. They were released on December 2.

Sunali's case gained attention after the Calcutta High Court ordered the return of Sunali, her husband, and their son, along with three members of another deported family, on September 26. The Centre then moved the Supreme Court.