The Telangana High Court has issued a significant directive to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to accelerate proceedings concerning a Hyderabad man detained for over two months while possessing both an Indian passport and a Bangladeshi national identity card.
Court Dismisses Habeas Corpus Petition
A division bench comprising Justices Moushumi Bhattacharya and Gadi Praveen Kumar dismissed the habeas corpus petition filed by Nirmal Das, father of detained individual Sanjit Das. The court determined that the petition did not establish sufficient grounds for habeas corpus relief, citing conflicting documentary evidence about the petitioner's identity and nationality.
The bench observed that Sanjit Das has been in detention for more than two months, significantly exceeding the 30-day period outlined in internal guidelines established by the Ministry of Home Affairs for handling cases of illegal immigrants. The court specifically noted that the 30-day guideline period expired on October 22, 2025.
Conflicting Documents Revealed
During proceedings, the court examined documentary evidence that revealed substantial contradictions in Sanjit Das's claimed identity. The detained man possessed an Indian passport and Aadhaar card listing two different districts in Tripura as his place of residence, while simultaneously having in his possession a National Identity Card issued by Bangladesh.
"Considering the fact that documents showing contrary countries of origin have been placed before this court, we are not inclined to pass any orders. We are not inclined to grant any relief with regard to the issue of the writ of habeas corpus," the bench stated in its ruling.
Government Response and Court Directive
Special Government Pleader Swaroop Oorilla, representing the state government, informed the court that authorities are still awaiting responses from Bangladesh and police superintendents from the two Tripura districts mentioned in Das's Indian documents.
The court directed the respondents to "expedite the process required for facilitating a decision in respect of the petitioner" and instructed Sanjit's father to comply with MHA guidelines and provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
This case previously came before the court after it was established that Sections 15 and 16 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 do not provide an "efficacious alternative remedy" to the petitioner - a position that the Special Government Pleader fairly conceded according to court observations.
Sanjit Das was apprehended at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in September this year while attempting to board a flight to Abu Dhabi, triggering the legal proceedings that have now reached the High Court.
