A group of Indian nationals, including six young men from Haryana's Kaithal district, were deported from the United States and arrived back in India this week. The deportees landed at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on Wednesday evening, marking the end of a distressing journey that involved alleged harsh treatment in American detention facilities.
Details of the Deportation and the Youths
The six individuals from Kaithal have been identified as Amit from Siwan village, Sahil from Saungal, Sohan from Dhand, Sajjan from Dherdu, Gurdev from Sismore, and Sanjeev from Kheri Raiwal. They were part of a larger group of deportees who returned on a flight that landed around 6 pm. After extensive paperwork formalities upon arrival, they were finally reunited with their anxious families around midnight.
According to accounts shared by the youths, their journey back began when they were put on a military aircraft in California on Monday. One of the returnees, Amit Kumar from Siwan, had been living in the US for three years, where he worked in a store. His father revealed that American police had arrested his son and held him in custody for approximately one month before the deportation. The family has stated they do not wish to pursue any legal action in the matter.
Allegations of Harsh Treatment in US Custody
The deported youths provided harrowing details about their time in US detention centres, describing conditions they called extremely inhumane. A source close to the group reported that detainees were provided with only two meals per day: a breakfast of four buns and a small evening portion of rajma-chawal (kidney beans and rice).
They also alleged suffering due to inadequate provisions for the cold. In biting winter conditions, they were given only a thin blanket for warmth. The mental and physical strain was compounded by nightly disruptions, where police personnel would forcibly wake everyone to conduct headcounts. The youths collectively characterized their experience as a form of mental and physical torture during their detention.
A Growing Trend from Kaithal
This incident is not isolated for the Kaithal district. Data reveals a concerning pattern over the past year. In the last 11 months alone, a total of 46 youths from Kaithal have been sent back from abroad. The deportations have occurred in multiple batches:
- 6 youths on February 5
- 7 youths on February 17
- 7 youths on February 18
- A peak of 14 youths on October 25
- 6 youths on November 5, 2025
- The latest batch of 6 on January 8, 2026
When approached for comment on this recurring issue, Kaithal Superintendent of Police Upasana declined to provide any statement. The repeated deportations highlight an ongoing situation affecting numerous families in the region, raising questions about the circumstances leading to these actions and the treatment of Indian nationals in foreign detention centres.
