By Maktoob
A human rights organisation has moved the Calcutta High Court alleging the illegal arrest, arbitrary detention and unlawful branding of an Indian Muslim woman as a “Bangladeshi”, despite the existence of multiple government records establishing her Indian citizenship.
In a complaint submitted to the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, Kirity Roy, Secretary of Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM) and National Convenor of the Programme Against Custodial Torture & Impunity (PACTI), sought the court’s urgent intervention, alleging serious violations of constitutional safeguards and due process by the West Bengal Police and CID.
The complaint concerns Sahida Fakir, wife of Jumman Fakir, a resident of Swarupdah village under Bithari Hakimpur Gram Panchayat in North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal.
According to the complaint, Sahida migrated to Mumbai with her husband around 20 years ago in search of livelihood. She currently works as a domestic worker, while her husband earns a living by cleaning vehicles.
The complaint states that Sahida’s father, Amanuddin Gazi, and mother, Majida Bibi, were residents of Gobindapur village in Swarupnagar, North 24 Parganas. Their names appeared in the 2002 electoral roll of the Swarupnagar Assembly constituency, listed at Serial Nos. 514 and 515 of Part No. 89, establishing their recognition as Indian voters.
It further states that Sahida’s birth was officially registered on 12 October 1995 by the Bithari Hakimpur Gram Panchayat under Registration No. 6382. Her father died in 2019, and his death was registered with the West Bengal government’s Health Department on 22 January 2019 under Registration No. 82041.
According to the complaint, Sahida possesses several government-issued documents establishing her Indian citizenship and identity. These include an Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC No. YDY0048132), a Permanent Account Number (PAN No. ABIPF5178P) issued by the Income Tax Department, a registered birth certificate issued by the competent authority, and land recorded in her name under J.L. No. 49, Khatian No. 4436, Mouza Gunrajpur in Swarupnagar Block.
The complaint argues that these records collectively establish that Sahida Fakir is an Indian citizen entitled to all constitutional and legal rights available to Indian citizens.
This story was originally published in maktoobmedia.com. Read the full story here.