Agartala, 19th July 2026: In a humanitarian decision, the Tripura High Court has directed the state government to begin the process of repatriating nine Bangladeshi nationals who were convicted for illegally entering India. The court reduced their prison sentences to the period they have already spent in custody and instructed the authorities to deport them to Bangladesh by following the prescribed legal procedure.
The order was passed by Justice Dr. T. Amarnath Goud while disposing of three criminal appeals challenging the judgments of Sessions Courts in Tripura’s Unakoti and Dhalai districts. The appellants—five men and four women from different parts of Bangladesh—had been convicted under the Foreigners Act, the Passport (Entry into India) Act, and the Passport (Entry into India) Amendment Act, 2000.
During the proceedings, Public Prosecutor Raju Datta, acting on instructions from the state government, informed the court that the government had no objection to repatriating the convicts instead of requiring them to complete their remaining prison terms.
Taking a compassionate approach, the High Court observed that all nine individuals were first-time offenders and noted that prolonged imprisonment would have a serious impact on their families in Bangladesh. The court also highlighted that continued detention of the women appellants would place additional hardship on their dependents.
The judgment clarified that the appellants would continue to remain in custody, not as convicted prisoners, but under the supervision of prison authorities until their repatriation is completed.
The court further instructed the state government to complete all necessary formalities and ensure the nine Bangladeshi nationals are handed over to Bangladeshi authorities and deported at the earliest in accordance with the law.
