Calcutta HC seeks Delhi administration's reply on family's deportation to Bangladesh

The Calcutta High Court on Friday directed the Delhi administration to submit a report on the deportation of six migrant workers, including a minor, to Bangladesh last month. The workers had claimed that they were from West Bengal and not the neighbouring country.

Seeking detailed replies, the high court asked: "Whether Sweety, Kurban and Imam had been detained or are missing: If detained, whether such detention is in connection with any court's order? (iii) If detained, what are the grounds towards such detention? Whether Sweety and Kurban had been detained upon informing them of the specific grounds for their arrest? Whether such arrest is related to any investigation being conducted by the Delhi Police authorities or the officials of the state ? (vi) Whether there has been any correspondence between the authorities of the state of West Bengal and the officials of Delhi administration?"

Delhi Police had detained the family of migrant workers claiming they had no valid papers and were from Bangladesh's Bagerhat, not Bengal. They were sent to Bangladesh on June 26.

A division bench of justices Tapabrata Chakraborty and Reetobrata Kumar Mitra also directed the West Bengal chief secretary to contact his counterpart in the Delhi government and get a report on the matter. The report must be submitted to the court by July 16, when the matter will be heard next.