Did a Pregnant Bengali Woman Face Wrongful Deportation Before Giving Birth?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Sunali Khatun gave birth after a wrongful deportation experience.
- Abhishek Banerjee is advocating for her rights.
- The case raises questions about human rights violations.
- Legal actions are underway to address the injustices faced by Khatun and others.
- Her story emphasizes the need for reform in immigration policies.
Kolkata, Jan 5 (NationPress) A pregnant Bengali woman, Sunali Khatun, who returned to India in December 2025 after being deported to Bangladesh on the grounds of being a suspected citizen of that country, gave birth to a baby boy on Monday.
In light of this news, Abhishek Banerjee, the General Secretary of the Trinamool Congress, expressed his congratulations to Khatun and announced his visit to her at Rampurhat Medical College and Hospital on Tuesday.
Banerjee shared on his official X account, "I am profoundly moved and sincerely pleased to know that Sunali Khatun has welcomed a healthy baby boy at Rampurhat Medical College in Birbhum. This joyful occasion is even more significant considering the injustices she faced. In an alarming misuse of authority, she was UNJUSTLY LABELED as a Bangladeshi and FORCEDLY EXPELLED to Bangladesh by the Delhi Police and the Union government."
He further stated that her ordeal last year represented a severe infringement of her dignity.
Banerjee added, "Her suffering was a breach of dignity that no one, especially a pregnant mother, should have to face. Nevertheless, through this hardship, Sunali exhibited remarkable bravery and determination. This is a victory of humanity. Tomorrow, during my visit to Birbhum, I will meet Sunali at the hospital to extend my heartfelt wishes to her and her newborn. My thoughts and prayers are with her family."
On December 6, 2025, Khatun returned to India six months after her deportation to Bangladesh.
In June 2025, while pregnant, she was expelled to Bangladesh on suspicions of being an illegal resident.
Thanks to a Supreme Court mandate, she was allowed back into the country alongside her eight-year-old son.
After her return, Khatun was admitted to Rampurhat Medical College and Hospital for medical evaluation.
Despite her return, four individuals, including Khatun's husband and another individual named Sweety Bibi, remain stranded in Bangladesh.
In June, the police detained six individuals, including Khatun, in Delhi under the suspicion of being Bangladeshi infiltrators.
Despite possessing valid citizenship documents, all six were deported to Bangladesh, where they faced arrest by local authorities and have since been imprisoned.
A case has been initiated in the Supreme Court and the Calcutta High Court to secure their return.