Centre ignoring HC order to repatriate six Bengal migrants wrongfully deported to B’desh: TMC

MP, 25 Oct 2025, Kolkata : The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has accused the BJP-led central government of ignoring a Calcutta High Court order to repatriate six Bengal migrants who were wrongfully deported to Bangladesh. The individuals, including a pregnant woman, Sonali Khatun, were mistakenly labeled as Bangladeshi nationals and forcibly sent back across the border. The High Court, in its order on September 26, had directed the Indian government to bring them back within four weeks, but the deadline expired on Friday without any action from the Centre.

The court had set aside the government’s decision to deport them and instructed the central authorities to liaise with the Indian High Commission in Dhaka to facilitate the repatriation process. However, according to TMC, the Centre has shown no urgency in fulfilling this order.

In response, the TMC has been vocal in its criticism. They questioned the Centre’s disregard for the court's ruling and the suffering of women and children involved. The party accused the BJP of using these people as "bargaining chips" in their political games, highlighting the lack of "humanity" and "basic decency" from the government. They further criticized the Centre for its lack of action, even after a Bangladesh court ruled last month that the six individuals, including Khatun, were Indian citizens and should be returned. The Bangladesh court had forwarded the case to the Indian High Commission for action.

TMC also pointed out that despite the court's clear directive, the Centre had not made any significant moves to bring the individuals back, describing it as "strange" and showing a lack of interest from the central government. TMC leaders, including Rajya Sabha MP Samirul Islam and senior leader Sashi Panja, have voiced strong objections to the government’s failure to comply with the legal order, accusing the BJP of being "Bangla-birodhi" (anti-Bengal) and denying justice to its citizens.

TMC's stance on this issue is firm, with party leaders emphasizing that they will continue to fight for the repatriation of the wronged individuals, both legally and politically, until they are safely brought back to India. They also mentioned that this issue would be a key factor in the 2026 state elections, suggesting that the people's verdict will reflect their frustration with the BJP's handling of such matters.