Wrongful Deportation of Bagdah Couple: In a deeply unsettling turn of events that has raised questions about immigration protocols and human rights safeguards in India, a couple from Bagdah in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal was mistakenly deported to Bangladesh in early 2024. After spending nearly 10 months in a Bangladeshi jail under inhumane conditions, the couple was finally brought back home in June 2025 following significant media attention and intervention from both state and central authorities.
This incident has not only triggered public outcry but has also exposed systemic loopholes in the documentation verification process of migrant workers, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds. The ordeal faced by the couple underscores the urgent need for improved inter-agency coordination and humane handling of suspected undocumented migrants.
The Journey Begins: From Maharashtra to a Nightmare
The couple, both in their 30s, had migrated from their native village in Bagdah, a border area near Bangaon, to Mumbai in search of livelihood opportunities. According to their family and neighbors, they were legally residing and working in Maharashtra. However, due to lack of formal identity documents while traveling, they were detained by the Border Security Force (BSF) while returning to Bengal in August 2024.
Assuming them to be Bangladeshi infiltrators due to their limited Hindi-speaking skills and lack of immediate documentation, the authorities initiated a deportation process. Within a few days, they were sent across the border to Bangladesh through the Petrapole-Benapole transit point — one of India’s busiest border checkpoints in West Bengal.
Life Behind Bars in a Foreign Land
Once across the border, the Bangladeshi authorities detained them for illegal entry. They were sent to a jail in the Jessore district, where they remained incarcerated for several months. During this time, they had no means to contact their family in Bagdah.
Their story remained unknown until human rights organizations and local press in Bangladesh picked up the matter after prison records revealed their Indian origin. A Bangladeshi NGO working on refugee issues reached out to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.
Meanwhile, back home, the couple’s family had been tirelessly trying to locate them. They registered a missing person complaint in Bagdah Police Station and even approached local political representatives for help.
Wrongful Deportation of Bagdah Couple: State Government Steps In
The turning point came in March 2025 when the West Bengal State Government, after receiving confirmation from Indian consular officials in Bangladesh, intervened directly to facilitate their return. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was briefed on the matter and ordered the Home Department to ensure that the couple was brought back safely.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, and the Bangladesh Home Ministry coordinated for a formal repatriation process. After diplomatic formalities, the couple was released and escorted back through the Benapole-Petrapole border crossing under official supervision.
Warm Welcome, Lingering Trauma
The couple arrived at their home in Bagdah on June 13, 2025, to an emotional welcome by family, neighbors, and civil society workers. However, the mental and physical toll of their wrongful imprisonment remains evident.
In their statement to the media, the woman said:
“We did not know what crime we had committed. We begged the jail authorities to let us call our family. We were treated like criminals in a country that was not ours.”
They also claimed that they were not allowed legal counsel or consular access for months.
Political and Bureaucratic Reactions
The opposition parties in Bengal, particularly the BJP, have slammed the TMC-led government for allowing such an incident to occur under its watch. However, the state administration defended its stance, arguing that the deportation was carried out by the BSF, which is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
In a press briefing, Bagdah MLA Biswajit Das called for a formal inquiry into how a legally residing Indian couple was mistakenly deported, and how the central agencies failed to verify their citizenship before taking such a drastic step.
Government Procedures Under Scrutiny
Experts argue that this incident highlights systemic issues in:
- Border security identification mechanisms
- Migrant documentation protocols
- Human rights safeguards during deportation
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the State Human Rights Commission (WBHRC) have taken cognizance of the matter and may initiate independent inquiries.
Legal Experts Weigh In
According to legal experts, the deportation of Indian citizens without verification violates multiple provisions under:
- The Indian Constitution (Article 21: Right to Life and Liberty)
- The Citizenship Act, 1955
- International human rights norms including the UN Declaration of Human Rights
Advocate Aritra Chatterjee from the Calcutta High Court said:
“It is alarming that a deportation took place without due legal process or district magistrate’s approval. This may be a case for compensation and criminal accountability.”
Calls for Reform
Following the incident, several NGOs and civil liberty groups have demanded:
- Digital identity verification at border posts
- Legal aid for individuals detained during cross-border checks
- Real-time communication between state governments and central forces
Additionally, political observers note that migrant workers from interior regions of Bengal often lack access to Aadhaar-linked documents while traveling, which puts them at risk of such errors.
Human Side of the Story
Despite the political and administrative noise, at the core of the story lies a couple who faced emotional devastation and humiliation. Having lost nearly a year of their life, they are now trying to regain normalcy.
They’ve reportedly been assured of mental health support and housing assistance by the state administration. Civil society groups have also started a fundraiser to help them restart their lives.
External and Government-Authorized Links
Here are official and credible sources connected to this case and its wider context:
- West Bengal Police Portal (to file or track missing person cases):
https://wbpolice.gov.in - Ministry of External Affairs – Repatriation Assistance:
https://www.mea.gov.in/repatriation.htm - Banglarbhumi (West Bengal Home Dept. Services):
https://banglarbhumi.gov.in - Border Security Force Official Site (for procedural info):
https://bsf.gov.in - National Human Rights Commission (Complaint & Monitoring):
https://nhrc.nic.in
Conclusion
The wrongful deportation of the Bagdah couple sheds light on serious gaps in India’s border policing and migrant protection systems. As investigations continue and policy discussions unfold, it is hoped that systemic reforms will be implemented to prevent such tragic errors in the future.
More importantly, this incident calls for a shift in how authorities treat vulnerable citizens—especially migrants—who deserve dignity, protection, and a voice in their own country.
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