'Can't Be A Silent Spectator': Calcutta HC Seeks Delhi Govt's Reply Over Bengal Migrants' Detention
The Calcutta High Court on Friday sought answers from the Delhi government regarding the alleged detention of migrant workers from West Bengal in Delhi. It directed the Delhi Chief Secretary to submit a report by July 16.
The High Court also instructed the West Bengal Chief Secretary to contact his Delhi counterpart and provide a report on the same day.
While hearing habeas corpus petitions from the relatives of those allegedly detained, the High Court asked the Delhi administration to clarify whether the migrants were detained.
The petitioners also sought direction to the authorities concerned for their release and production before the court.
The two petitions claimed that Sweety Bibi, Kurban Sheikh, their minor son, Sunali Khatun, Danish, and his minor grandson had been unlawfully detained in New Delhi.
The petitioners' advocate argued that Bengali-speaking individuals were detained in the national capital on suspicion of being Bangladeshi citizens without verifying their identities.
'In view of the nature of allegations made, prima facie, we are of the opinion that the writ petition is maintainable and this court cannot be a silent spectator," stated the division bench of Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty and Justice Reetobroto Kumar Mitra.
The court further directed the Delhi government to present relevant documents to clarify whether the individuals had been detained or were missing. The Delhi government must also specify if the detention was related to any court order and the grounds for it.
The court adjourned the matter till July 16.
Lawyers representing the West Bengal government submitted that the state authorities are taking necessary steps to obtain instructions from the Delhi administration.
Similar orders were issued by the Calcutta High Court to the Odisha government on Thursday regarding allegations that two migrant workers from West Bengal were under illegal detention in Odisha.
The court directed the Odisha government to clarify whether migrant workers Sainur Islam and Rakibul Islam were detained by the Odisha Police in Jagatsinghpur district.
(With inputs from PTI)
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First Published:
July 11, 2025, 19:29 IST
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