'Detention Period Long Over': Calcutta High Court Allows Bangladeshi Woman To Be Repatriated By Air

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday permitted the deportation of a Bangladeshi national back to her native country after taking into consideration that she had been languishing in a correctional home even after the completion of her detention period.

The petitioner had filed the instant petition seeking the Court's leave for repatriation after a representation to this effect was declined by the Central government.

Justice Debangsu Basak observed,

"Since the petitioner is no longer required to be in custody in the correctional home of India and since the petitioner is a Bangladeshi National, it would be appropriate to permit the petitioner to be deported to her Nation forthwith. The Correctional Home at which the petitioner is presently located will take appropriate measures or steps for the purpose of deportation of petitioner forthwith."

During the hearing, the Court also took note of the fact that the Special Secretary to the Government of West Bengal had made a representation dated July 13, 2021 requesting for the immediate deportation of the petitioner to Bangladesh by air.

It ordered the Superintendent of the Correctional Home to depute appropriate police personnel to accompany the petitioner to the airport as she had expressed her desire to travel to Bangladesh by air.

"The petitioner will purchase the air ticket for her flight and produce the same before the Superintendent of the Correctional Home at which she is presently lodged. The Superintendent of Police will take expeditious steps for the purpose of ensuring that the petitioner is able to avail of such flight", the Court further observed.

The petitioner has been ordered to submit all requisite documents to the Superintendent of the concerned Correctional Home in order to process her deportation.

The Court is slated to hear the matter again on August 23 for ensuring compliance.

Case Title: Lovely Akter v. Union of India

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