Gujarat HC Upholds Custody of Bangladeshi Immigrant Woman Pending Deportation

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court has dismissed a habeas corpus petition filed by an Indian citizen seeking the release of his Bangladeshi wife and their eight-month-old daughter from administrative custody, ruling that their detention pending deportation proceedings was not illegal.

A division bench of Justices Bhargav Karia and Hemant Prachchhak observed that the custody of a foreign national under valid statutory orders during deportation proceedings cannot be considered unlawful detention.

The petitioner had approached the High Court alleging that his wife and infant daughter were being illegally detained. However, the court noted that the woman was in state custody under a valid order issued under immigration and foreigners regulations.

Observing that the liberty and welfare of both the woman and her daughter were adequately safeguarded, the court dismissed the petition. DeshGujarat