HC waives jail terms of four Bangladeshi nationals, orders repatriation

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, September 23, 2026

The Tripura High Court has reduced the sentences of four Bangladeshi nationals convicted in separate cases of illegal entry into India to the periods they have already spent in custody and directed their repatriation to Bangladesh.

Justice Dr T Amarnath Goud passed the orders while disposing of three criminal appeals filed by the accused.

The four had been convicted under provisions of the Foreigners Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Passport (Entry into India) Act for entering India without valid travel documents.

Two of the appellants, Ratilal Das and his wife Binita Rani Das, were arrested by the BSF along with others near Srirampur Manu Bridge in February 2025. The Sessions Court at Kailashahar had sentenced them to two years' rigorous imprisonment besides fines.

In separate appeals, Lija and Mansura Aktar, both Bangladeshi nationals, had challenged sentences imposed by the Sessions Court at Ambassa after their detention at Ambassa railway station in October 2024. They had pleaded guilty before the trial court.

The High Court considered the state's position that it had no objection to their repatriation instead of keeping them in jail for the remaining sentence.

Noting that the appellants had no previous criminal antecedents, the court modified their sentences to the periods already undergone and waived the remaining imprisonment.

The court directed the authorities to take necessary steps for their repatriation as per procedure. Until then, they will remain in custody but will not be treated as convicts.

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