Assam: Badruddin Ajmal visits families of Juria women allegedly pushed back to Bangladesh, vows legal action

All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief Badruddin Ajmal on September 21 said he will approach the Supreme Court over the alleged pushback of two women from Assam’s Juria to Bangladesh, while targeting BJP candidate Debasish Sharma during an election rally in Nagaon.

Ajmal, who is contesting the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election, made the remarks while addressing an AIUDF rally at Kaliadinga Bazar in Juria. He also visited the homes of the families of the two women who were allegedly sent to Bangladesh.

Ajmal alleged that the two women were pushed back when Sharma was serving as the Nagaon Deputy Commissioner. He also raised allegations of selective targeting of Muslims during eviction drives in Assam.

The remarks come amid an intensifying campaign for the Nagaon by-election, with issues relating to citizenship, alleged pushback and evictions emerging as campaign points.

Ajmal said he would pursue the matter through legal channels and approach the Supreme Court after the election, seeking action against those responsible.

His comments come days after the Gauhati High Court intervened in the case of Mumtaz Begum, a Juria resident who was sent to Bangladesh after being declared a foreign national by a Foreigners Tribunal. The court directed the Assam government to pay Rs 2 lakh in interim compensation to her husband, Mujammel Hoque.

The High Court also impleaded the Ministry of External Affairs in the case and directed steps to trace Begum in Bangladesh and facilitate her return to India. The court observed that she had been expelled without her husband or an adult family member being informed about her detention, and noted that she was not given an opportunity to challenge the tribunal's opinion before being sent out of the country.

According to the court record, Begum was handed over to the Border Security Force on June 13 and sent back to Bangladesh on June 14 through the Kalaincherra area of Cachar. The court has also directed authorities to follow safeguards, including informing family members and providing copies of tribunal opinions in such cases.