Birbhum’s Sweety Bibi, who was pushed across the border on suspicion of being Bangladeshi, finally returned

POBNEWS24, Dhaka, July 8, 2026 : Four Indian nationals who were pushed across the border on suspicion of being Bangladeshi have finally returned to their country. After almost a year of coordination between the foreign ministries of the two countries and the formalities of travel passes, they were handed over to India at around 3:30 pm on Wednesday through the Sonamasjid immigration checkpost in Chapainawabganj.
The four handed over are Sweety Bibi of Dhitra village of Murarai police station in Birbhum district, her two sons Qurban Sheikh (17) and Imam Dewan (6), and Danish Sheikh of Paiko village of Paiko police station.
Confirming the matter, the officer-in-charge of the Sonamasjid Immigration Police, Jamirul Islam said, “The four Indian nationals have been handed over to India after completing all the necessary formalities through travel passes.” Two representatives of the Indian Assistant High Commission in Rajshahi, BGB and BSF officials were present at the time.
According to relevant sources, Danish Sheikh’s wife Sonali Bibi and their child were sent to India on December 5, 2025. Following the directives of the Delhi Supreme Court, the Indian authorities accepted the pregnant Sonali Bibi and her child, but did not accept the remaining four people, including Danish Sheikh, at that time. Later, after a long process by the foreign ministries of the two countries, the matter of their repatriation was finalized.
It is known that on August 20 last year, the police arrested the six Indian citizens from Alinagar area of ​​Chapainawabganj city. A case was filed against the remaining four, excluding the two children, under the Passport Act on charges of infiltration. They claimed to the police that despite being Indian citizens, the Delhi police detained them and, thinking them to be Bangladeshis, pushed them through the Kurigram border to Bangladesh through the BSF.
After the matter was published in the media, there was widespread discussion in both countries. Later, on a writ petition filed by Sonali Bibi’s father, the Supreme Court of India ordered the immediate repatriation of the six Indian citizens. In the light of that directive, Sonali Bibi and her child returned to India in the first phase, but the return of the remaining four people was delayed due to the ongoing court case. Recently, after receiving approval for travel passes, it was possible for them to return to the country.
The four Indian nationals, who were released on bail after serving about three months in prison in the case, were living in the custody of Faruk Hossain, a resident of Nayagola Gainpara in Chapainawabganj Municipality. For several months, arrangements were being made for their food and daily necessities with the help of local residents. They expressed relief at finally being able to return to their country after about a year.