Detained in Delhi days ago, 'Bengal family' of three pushed into Bangladesh

In a recent incident, a family of three — including a minor child — has been forcibly sent into Bangladesh after being detained in Delhi as so-called "illegal Bangladeshis", according to the family's relatives. The relatives claim that the family actually belongs to Birbhum district in West Bengal, not Bangladesh.

A senior Delhi police officer stated that Danish Sheikh, his wife Sunali Khatun, and their minor son were deported to Bangladesh following "proper verification". However, questions remain over how such "verification" was conducted when their relatives insist they are Indian citizens, says The Indian Express.

This incident follows similar cases in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh where people, mostly Bengali-speaking Muslims from West Bengal, have been detained and sent across the border as "illegal immigrants".

Recently, seven people from West Bengal were detained by Mumbai police and handed over to the BSF, who pushed them into Bangladesh at 3:30 am on June 14. Among them were four youths from Murshidabad, one person from Purba Bardhaman, and a husband-wife pair from North 24 Parganas — the latter were later brought back from Bangladesh after intervention by the West Bengal government.

"They all have been deported to Bangladesh on June 26 after proper verification at the local police level first and after that a thorough interrogation by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office office. They hail from Bagerhat, Bangladesh," said Rajeev Ranjan, DCP (Rohini).

"This cannot be tolerated. This is happening every day. Despite showing all proof, including land records, this has happened," claimed Samirul Islam, chairman of the migrant labour welfare board and Rajya Sabha MP.

"Our government has intervened, but the administration in BJP-ruled states and in Delhi are not paying heed. We will move to court on Monday and appeal to the court to produce them before the judge. Is it a fault to speak in Bengali outside Bengal?" claimed Islam.

According to the family members, Sheikh, his wife Sunali and their minor son were picked up by the police and taken to a police station in Delhi.

The family members claimed they (Sheikh and his wife) belong to Paikar village under Muraroi police station limits in Birbhum district.

"They are migrant labourers who have been working as ragpickers in Delhi for the last 20 years. They were picked up by the police on July 18. All documents, including land deeds, were provided to the police. But they didn't budge," said Roshni Bibi, a cousin of Sunali, speaking to The Indian Express over phone from Delhi.