Sri Lanka’s ex-first lady arrested over alleged misuse of children’s hospital donations

DHAKA (TIP): The Calcutta High Court on Thursday questioned the West Bengal government on what basis it had since August 8 detained a Murshidabad resident accused of being an illegal Bangladeshi immigrant.
Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya asked the question after the government submitted reports from the Raninagar police station and the superintendent of police stating that Sahidul Sk had been staying illegally without a valid passport or visa.
The high court had earlier asked the government to submit the reports after Sahidul’s wife had moved the court claiming that her husband had been detained illegally.
“It (detention order passed by the Foreigners Registration Office) was a conclusive finding that they are Bangladeshi nationals and the detention order was passed. What is the basis?” Justice Bhattacharyya said.
Seeking to justify the detention, Additional Advocate-General Rajdeep Majumdar, appearing for the government, cited “confidential information” collected during a special drive conducted on the instructions of the Union Home Ministry. The government also submitted that Sahidul had admitted to crossing the border and staying illegally.
When the court enquired how a person considered an illegal migrant still had a voter card, Aadhaar, and PAN card, the government said Sahidul had obtained the documents using forged documents.
The government further submitted that the wife of Kalam Sheik, who Sahidul claims is his father, and her daughter both denied knowing him.
The court then observed that their words alone would not prove Sahidul is a Bangladeshi, adding that he was not given any opportunity to present his case before the FRO.
Majumdar argued that forging documents like a PAN number, Aadhaar, and a school certificate raises suspicion and constitutes grounds for deportation.
The court further observed, “In the 1970s, how many people crossed the border? Is it possible to send them back based on certain statements of family members?”
After hearing both sides, the court ordered, “For the ends of justice, the deportation order of September 28 shall be kept in abeyance till the next date of hearing by the appropriate court. Writ petition released and be placed before the appropriate bench on 14 October subject to the convenience of the Bench.”