HC asks Assam, Union government to trace Muslim woman expelled to Bangladesh as a ‘foreigner’

What happened: The Gauhati High Court directed the Ministry of External Affairs and the Assam government to trace Mumtaz Begum, who was expelled to Bangladesh in June after a foreigners tribunal declared she was not an Indian citizen. Key numbers: Begum was taken into custody on May 30 and expelled about two weeks later. The next hearing is scheduled for November 6. Why it matters: The bench noted Begum was not given a copy of the tribunal's order or a chance to challenge it. In September the court had asked the tribunal to reconsider, saying it had not considered all her evidence.

The Gauhati High Court directed the Ministry of External Affairs and the Assam government to trace Mumtaz Begum, who was expelled to Bangladesh in June after a foreigners tribunal declared she was not an Indian citizen.

The bench noted Begum was not given a copy of the tribunal's order or a chance to challenge it. In September the court had asked the tribunal to reconsider, saying it had not considered all her evidence.