Indian Supreme Court Told Deportation Requires Country of Origin Consent

The Indian government told the Supreme Court on Tuesday that foreign nationals whose nationality is unverified or unknown cannot be deported until their home country formally confirms their identity, issues valid travel documents, and agrees to accept them.

The submission came in response to a petition challenging the detention of foreign nationals, many of whom have been held for years despite court orders for their release.

The government's affidavit stated that deportation is a bilateral process requiring the cooperation of the receiving state, and that without such cooperation, removal is not feasible under international law.

The court has scheduled the next hearing for March, directing the government to provide a detailed list of all such detainees and the status of their nationality verification.

Human rights groups have criticized the prolonged detention, arguing that the lack of clear procedures leaves many stateless and indefinitely imprisoned.