Bangladesh searches for Assam woman sent to country in June

Authorities in Bangladesh have launched a search for Mamtaj Begum, a woman from Assam who was sent to Bangladesh by the Assam government in June, following a direction from the Gauhati High Court to bring her back to India.

Begum, from Nagaon, was declared a foreigner by a Foreigners Tribunal in the district on June 6, 2019.

The Gauhati High Court set aside the tribunal's order on April 20, 2026. However, Begum was arrested by the police from the court premises on May 30 and taken to a detention centre in Sribhumi.

She was sent to Bangladesh on June 14.

Following her deportation, Begum's husband filed a writ petition before the Gauhati High Court seeking her return to India.

After hearing the petition, the High Court directed that Begum be brought back from Bangladesh. However, Bangladeshi authorities have so far been unable to trace her.

Authorities in Bangladesh have put up posters carrying Begum's photograph in Dhaka, Sylhet and other locations as part of efforts to locate her.