The Supreme Court has directed the Union government to bring back Sunali Khatun, a pregnant woman who was deported to Bangladesh earlier this year despite claims that she is an Indian citizen from West Bengal. The order came after the Centre informed the bench that it was willing to repatriate her “on humanitarian grounds.” Khatun’s eight-year-old son, who was deported with her, will also be brought back.

A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymala Bagchi instructed authorities to provide medical care to Khatun at no cost when she returns and to ensure proper arrangements for her child. Kant said the state must on occasion “bend in humanitarian interest.”

How the case began

The case started when Khatun’s father, Bodu Sheikh, filed a habeas corpus petition before the Calc

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