India’s Supreme Court has asked the Union government to consider, on humanitarian grounds, the return of four people who were deported to Bangladesh earlier this year, after confirming that a pregnant woman and her young son have been brought back to India.
The observation came on Friday during a hearing related to the deportation of Sunali Khatun, who was sent to Bangladesh in June along with her eight-year-old son and four other family members. Sunali, who is in an advanced stage of pregnancy, has since been repatriated and is now staying with her father in West Bengal.
Court Confirms Repatriation and Medical Care
A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, was informed that Sunali had safely returned to India. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the West Bengal government, and advocate Sanjay Hegde, representing Sunali’s father Bhodu Sekh, confirmed her current status.
When the bench asked about her health condition, the state government said that Sunali is receiving proper medical care due to her advanced pregnancy. The court noted this assurance on record.
Plea to Bring Back Four Others
Both Sibal and Hegde urged the court to consider the cases of the four others who were deported along with Sunali. These include her husband. The lawyers argued that all four individuals possess valid documents proving that they are Indian citizens.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Union government, told the court that more time is needed to verify the documents submitted in support of these claims.
The bench said the government may consider bringing them back on humanitarian grounds if it finds it appropriate. The judges clarified that such a step would not affect the government’s legal position in the ongoing case.
Court Cautions Against Media Narratives
During the hearing, the Solicitor General raised concerns about recent media reports on Sunali’s case. He suggested that such reports were aimed at shaping public opinion while the matter is still under judicial consideration.
Responding to this, the Chief Justice said that criticism of court orders and reporting on proceedings are acceptable in a democracy. However, he cautioned against creating narratives around cases that are still pending before the court.
“There should be no running commentary when a matter is sub judice,” the Chief Justice said. He added that distorted or incomplete reporting can mislead the public and create confusion.
Kapil Sibal argued that globally, newspapers often comment on cases under consideration and that such discussion is not improper if judges are not personally targeted. The Chief Justice replied that the real concern arises when half-truths are presented as facts.
Sanjay Hegde also noted that courts need to develop tolerance for criticism. The bench acknowledged the point but reiterated the need for responsible reporting.
Next Hearing in January
The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing for January 6. On that day, it will further examine the request to repatriate the four individuals who remain in Bangladesh.
The case has drawn attention to broader issues around deportation, citizenship verification, and humanitarian considerations. It also highlights the delicate balance between legal processes and human rights concerns, especially when vulnerable individuals are involved.
