Court Upholds Detention in Dual Identity Case
The Telangana High Court has firmly refused to grant relief to a businessman detained for possessing both a Bangladeshi identity card and an Indian passport obtained through allegedly forged documents. The decisive ruling came on Friday when a division bench dismissed a habeas corpus petition filed by the detainee's father.
Airport Interception Reveals Dual Identity
Sanjit Das, a native of Tripura currently residing in Hyderabad, was apprehended at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport while attempting to board a flight to Abu Dhabi. During security screening, authorities discovered he was carrying an identity card issued by the Government of Bangladesh alongside his Indian passport.
Investigations revealed that his Indian passport had been obtained using allegedly forged documents, raising serious questions about his actual citizenship status. The discovery prompted immediate action by airport authorities, leading to his detention.
Legal Battle and Court's Firm Stance
Nirmal Das, the detainee's father, approached the High Court claiming the detention was illegal and sought immediate release of his son. However, the State counsel argued that the detention was perfectly legal under the provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act.
The division bench delivered a clear verdict, stating: "Despite being a citizen of Bangladesh, he has fraudulently obtained an Indian passport. We do not find any reasons to release the detenue." The court emphasized that the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) had acted in complete compliance with established legal procedures.
The bench noted there was no scope for judicial interference in the habeas corpus order since the detention followed proper legal channels. However, the court did provide an alternative legal pathway, stating that the detainee "is at liberty to avail recourse under the provisions of the act and represent his case before the FRRO for further proceedings."
Ongoing Detention and Movement Restrictions
Sanjit Das has been lodged at the detention centre in the Central Crime Station, Hyderabad since September, when a movement restriction order was initially issued against him. The case highlights the serious consequences of document fraud and identity misrepresentation in international travel.
The court's ruling reinforces the strict enforcement of immigration laws and serves as a strong warning against attempts to circumvent citizenship documentation procedures. The matter has been disposed of by the High Court, leaving the FRRO as the appropriate authority for any future proceedings in this case.
