Centre moves Supreme Court against Calcutta HC order to bring back 2 families forced into Bangladesh

The Centre has moved the Supreme Court challenging a Calcutta High Court order directing it to bring back two migrant worker families from West Bengal’s Birbhum district who had been pushed into Bangladesh and accused of being undocumented immigrants, The Times of India reported.

The High Court had on September 26 set aside the deportation order against six persons, including eight-month pregnant Sunali Khatun. It had directed that they be brought back to West Bengal within four weeks.

The four-week period ended on October 24, The Times of India reported.

The Centre filed its petition on October 22, just days before the deadline, amid reports that the families of the deported persons were planning to move the High Court for directions to ensure compliance with its repatriation order.

The Union government and the Delhi Police have questioned whether the Calcutta High Court had the jurisdiction to hear the case at all, according to The Times of India.

Additional Solicitor General Asok Kumar Chakrabarti argued that Sunali Khatun’s father, Bhodu Sheikh – who filed the habeas corpus plea – had suppressed the fact that two petitions on a similar matter were already pending before the Delhi High Court.

In its earlier order, the Calcutta High Court had asked the Union government to submit an affidavit explaining the process of deportation...

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