Deported to Bangladesh, Pregnant Migrant Worker From Bengal Continues to Fight For Return
Kolkata: A Bangladeshi court is now framing charges against Sunali Khatun, pregnant migrant worker from West Bengal's interiors, who, along with her companions was charged by the Delhi Police as infiltrators and deported to Bangladesh with the help of BSF about four months ago.
The hearing is scheduled for October 23. Meanwhile, the Calcutta high court, on September 26, rejected the Union government’s ‘infiltrator’ claims and ruled that Khatun must be repatriated along with her husband, son and others within a month.
Also read: Family of Pregnant Worker Pushed into Bangladesh Pin Hopes on High Court
The Ministry of External Affairs has yet to provide any information on this matter. As a result, no one has answers to whether Khatun’s child will be born in a Bangladeshi prison or if she will be able to return to the country within the court-mandated timeframe.
Mofizul Sheikh, a resident of the same village as Khatun, is currently in Chapai Nawabganj, Bangladesh. He is regularly in communication with Khatun and the others. He was present in the courtroom on the day of the hearing.
He said, "The framing of charges will not cause great worry. On the next hearing date, if Sunali and the others plead guilty and surrender, they will face a one-year sentence of rigorous imprisonment or a fine. If they pay the fine, Sunali and the others will be released from jail. But whether they can return depends entirely on the embassy. Although a copy of the magistrate's statement has been sent to the Indian embassy."
Chapai Nawabgunj Model police station, Bangladesh. Photo: By arrangement
When asked about her health, Sheikh said, "There was heavy rain in the Chapainawabganj area, recently, for two days. Due to that, moss accumulated in the jail courtyard. While moving around, Sunali slipped and fell in the jail courtyard, sustaining injuries. A doctor examined her and gave her medication."
When asked about the child, he became dejected. “The doctor had advised long ago that an ultrasound test was needed to check on the baby's condition. That arrangement has not been possible yet," he said, adding that Khatun and others have found trust in him and asked him not to leave without taking them.
Also read: Pregnant Bengal Woman, Wrongfully Deported, Awaits Return as Family Fears Child Will Be Stateless
Khatun was arrested by Delhi Police with her husband Danish Sheikh (29) and their eight-year-old son Sabir Sheikh on June 17. Also with them were her friend Sweety Bibi (33) and her two children, Kurban Sheikh (16) and Iman (5).
Khatun had been a resident of Delhi for over two decades and used to work as a domestic help and at times, a ragpicker.
On June 18, police detained them from K.N. Katju Marg station in Rohini. On June 26, arrangements were made to deport Sunali and the others to Bangladesh. Sheikh heard this account from Khatun and Bibi.
“We earlier thought they had been sent to Bangladesh via the Mehdi border. That was untrue. Sunali and the others were sent via Assam to Bangladesh's Kurigram area. In the dark of the night, the BSF made them wade through chest-deep water. When they refused to go, Danish and the others were severely beaten. Upon reaching Bangladesh, local people gave Sunali and the others some food and told them to return the way they came, which they tried. Again, the BSF beat them and pushed them back to Bangladesh," Sheikh said.
Khatun and the others endured a double pushback. Sheikh also mentioned that Danish had serious injuries on his body, especially on his head and needed medical treatment.
Sweety Bibi too had to endure indescribable suffering. In Bangladesh, as a minor, Sweety's son Kurban Sheikh was taken to a home in Jessore, 280 kilometres away. Only a few days ago, she received permission to keep her son with her.
Two-hundred-twenty kilometres away in Birbhum, Sunali's father Bhadu Sheikh sits with vacant eyes, staring at the road. His body is ravaged. He suffers from acute asthma, cannot even stand straight. Even a short walk leaves him gasping. He moves around by sitting on the ground.
Bhadu Seikh, Sunali's father. Photo: Mamud Alam
To this day, he has not had the opportunity to speak with his daughter. It was on his habeas corpus petition that the high court had ruled that Sunali and the others must be brought back. Recently, Samirul Islam, a Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP and the chairman of the state's migrant workers' development board, assured him that every effort would be made to repatriate Sunali and the others without delay. That assurance is his only hope.
Sunali's father said, "I am infirm and cannot do any work. I won't be able to help my daughter. So, she will have to work to earn her meals. My wife (Jyotsna Bibi) has already returned to Delhi for work. We have documents going back four generations. We had to endure this torture just for speaking Bengali. We are lifelong residents of Birbhum. I want to die here too. If my daughter gets a job in the state, I can die in peace."
This article went live on October fourteenth, two thousand twenty five, at one minutes past two in the afternoon.The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
