Malda: A pregnant Muslim woman from West Bengal who was pushed into Bangladesh on suspicion of being an undocumented immigrant returned to India on Friday after the Supreme Court intervened. Officials confirmed that 25-year-old Sunali Khatun re-entered the country with her eight-year-old son through the Mehadipur border outpost in Malda.
Sunali, her husband Danish Sheikh, their son, and another woman, Sweety Bibi, with her two children, were picked up by the Delhi Police and pushed across the border on June 26. Sunali was pregnant at the time. The Union government disputed the citizenship of the remaining four members. It agreed to allow Sunali’s return on humanitarian grounds, leaving her husband and the others in Bangladesh.
Speaking to reporters after crossing the border, Sunali said she felt relieved to be home and asked authorities to bring her husband back safely.
Bangladesh authorities arrested both families on August 21 under the Passport Act and Foreigners Act. They secured bail on December 1 and stayed with a relative in Chapainawabganj with court permission.
West Bengal leaders welcomed her return. Rajya Sabha MP Samirul Islam said the case exposed hardships faced by poor Bengali Muslims. He said the central government did not act despite the Supreme Court’s instructions.
Earlier, the Calcutta High Court directed that all six individuals be brought back. A court in Chapainawabganj later identified them as Indian citizens based on Aadhaar details and ordered repatriation.
After entering India, Sunali and her son were taken to Malda Medical College and Hospital. Doctors said she is stable but anaemic.
