Parents of Women Wrongfully Tagged 'Illegal Immigrants' Declared Genuine Voters by Election Commission
In a significant development, the Election Commission of India has officially declared the parents of Sunali Khatun and Sweety Bibi as genuine voters in its final electoral list published on February 28. This decision comes after a harrowing ordeal where both women were incorrectly labeled as "illegal immigrants" and forcibly pushed into Bangladesh in June of last year.
A Legal Victory Amidst Family Turmoil
Sunali Khatun, along with her minor son, was repatriated to India in December following the Supreme Court's intervention on humanitarian grounds. However, the emotional and financial toll on her family has been immense. "This is proof that my father is an Indian citizen. I am an Indian citizen," an emotional Sunali stated upon seeing her father Bhodu Sheikh's name in the published list. She lamented the loss of her job as a house help in Delhi, which earned her at least Rs 10,000 monthly, and the separation from her husband, who remains in Bangladesh, unable to see their newborn child.
The family's plight began on June 21 when Sunali, her husband Danish Sheikh, and their eight-year-old son were detained during an "identity verification drive" in Delhi. By June 26, a deportation order was issued, leading to their forced removal. While Sunali and her son have returned, her husband, Sweety Bibi, and Sweety's two sons, Qurban Sheikh and Imam Dewan, are still stranded in Bangladesh.
Documentary Evidence and Ongoing Adjudications
In the 2002 State Identification Register (SIR) list, which serves as the foundation for the 2026 SIR, the names of Sunali's parents—Bhodu Sheikh and Jyotsna Bibi—were recorded under the Murarai assembly constituency in Birbhum. They had submitted enumeration forms in 2025 for the SIR while their pregnant daughter, grandson, and son-in-law were in Bangladesh. Despite this, Sunali's mother Jyotsna Bibi's name is currently marked "under adjudication" in the latest list, though all necessary documents, including the 2002 list, have been submitted.
Similarly, Danish Sheikh's mother Dilruba Bibi's name is also under adjudication. Danish had presented his mother's Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC) in court to substantiate his citizenship, citing his grandfather Ekamuddin Sheikh's inclusion in the 2002 SIR list. Sunali herself lacks a voter ID card, having attempted an unsuccessful online application. She claims to possess an Aadhaar card, PAN card, ration card, and land deeds dating back to her grandfather, but was unable to apply at voter camps due to her work commitments in Delhi.
Family Testimonies and Broader Implications
Meanwhile, Sweety Bibi's mother Rozina Bibi has also been confirmed as a genuine voter in the final roll, as confirmed by her cousin Amir to sources. "In our family, many people's names are featured; a few are under adjudication. But documents have been submitted," Amir noted. This case highlights the complexities of citizenship verification in India, particularly for marginalized communities, and underscores the critical role of legal and documentary evidence in safeguarding rights.
The Supreme Court's intervention has been pivotal, yet the emotional and economic scars persist for these families. As the adjudication process continues for some members, this ruling offers a glimmer of hope and reaffirms the importance of due process in immigration and electoral matters.
