India 22.7 → 15.6 (Delta −7.1): BAND CROSSING Developing → Critical — Government-Directed Refoulement-and-Expulsion Regime
What the evidence shows
Bangladesh authorities reported that India expelled more than 1,500 men, women, and children in May and June. However, several of them turned out to be Indian citizens, mostly impoverished migrant workers from states bordering Bangladesh.
Sources (3)
Bangladesh authorities reported that India expelled more than 1,500 men, women, and children in May and June. However, several of them turned out to be Indian citizens, mostly impoverished migrant workers from states bordering Bangladesh.
In May, authorities put 40 Rohingya refugees on a navy ship. The crew allegedly beat and interrogated the refugees, gave them life jackets, and then tossed them into the sea near the Myanmar coast.
authorities in Gujarat state demolished over 10,000 structures claiming they were occupied by 'illegal Bangladeshi immigrants,' going against the Supreme Court's November 2024 ruling that outlawed such arbitrary and punitive demolitions.
What we found
HRW World Report 2026 and the Polis Project document a government-directed regime of refoulement and unlawful expulsion. Bangladesh confirmed 1,500+ men, women, and children expelled May–June without due process, including Indian citizens — a pregnant woman (Sunali Khatun) was deported and the Calcutta High Court issued a return order.
Why it matters
192 UNHCR-registered Rohingya refugees were unlawfully expelled. 40 Rohingya were placed on a navy vessel, beaten, given life jackets, and thrown into the sea near Myanmar; the UN Special Rapporteur documented blatant disregard for the lives and safety of protected persons.