Basirhat, West Bengal — In a dramatic turn of events, 28-year-old Amir Sheikh, a migrant worker from Malda’s Kaliachak, was reunited with his family on Wednesday evening after nearly a month-long ordeal that his supporters allege involved an illegal deportation to Bangladesh by the Rajasthan Police with assistance from the Border Security Force (BSF).
According to activists and legal representatives, Amir was forcibly sent across the border in July under the pretext of being an “illegal entrant” into Bangladesh. His family, refusing to accept this version, launched a legal battle by filing a habeas corpus petition in the Calcutta High Court. The court had summoned senior officials from the Rajasthan government and the Centre, with a hearing scheduled for Thursday. However, just a day before the proceedings, Amir was brought back to India — a move many see as an attempt to avoid legal embarrassment.
The case attracted widespread attention, including coverage by The New York Times, which intensified public pressure on the authorities. Despite this, officials now deny that Amir was deported at all, claiming instead that he “inadvertently” crossed into Bangladesh. Critics have dismissed this explanation as implausible, pointing to a video message recorded by Amir from Bangladesh in which he explicitly stated he was forcibly sent there.
Political leaders in West Bengal have condemned the incident as part of a “cover-up culture” — committing an act, denying responsibility, and attempting damage control when caught. They argue that this case reflects a broader pattern of harassment and marginalization of vulnerable communities, particularly Bengali Muslims, under the guise of border security.
Supporters of Amir have vowed to continue the legal fight, framing it as part of a larger struggle for justice and accountability in the face of state excesses.
For now, Amir Sheikh is back home, but his case has left deep questions about transparency, misuse of power, and human rights at India’s borders.
