India’s central government told the Supreme Court on Wednesday that several Bengali-speaking people previously sent from West Bengal to Bangladesh had been brought back to India. Following the submission, the court disposed of the related cases, saying there was no immediate need to continue them because the individuals had returned. The court, however, left unresolved broader legal questions concerning citizenship and deportation.

The Calcutta High Court had earlier ruled illegal the central government’s decision to label several people, including Sunali Khatun and Switi Bibi from Birbhum district, as “illegal immigrants” and send them to Bangladesh. It ordered their return within one month. Families alleged that Sunali, her husband and child were detained and sent to Bangladesh, while similar allegations concerned Switi and her children. Some were reportedly detained by local police after arriving in Bangladesh.

On May 22, the government said it would verify the returned individuals’ claims to Indian citizenship under special circumstances and said the move would not set a precedent. Their lawyer said all had returned following the solicitor general’s intervention. The Supreme Court said it could address the legal issues later.