Immigration – Fifteen Indian Nationals Deported From Australia Arrive in Delhi
Immigration – A group of 15 Indian nationals deported from Australia arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on Thursday, where they were received by authorities and later handed over to police officials for further procedures.
Arrival and Initial Processing at Airport
According to officials familiar with the matter, the deportees landed in the capital and underwent standard immigration checks upon arrival. Authorities completed documentation at the airport, after which central agencies conducted detailed questioning that reportedly lasted several hours. Following this process, the individuals were formally transferred to respective state police teams.
Out of the 15 deportees, nine individuals belong to Punjab. A dedicated team from the state police escorted them back to their home districts. Officials noted that all deportees fall within the age group of 25 to 45 years, indicating that most had traveled abroad during their working years.
Distribution Across States
The deported group includes individuals from multiple states, though Punjab accounts for the majority. The nine individuals from Punjab belong to districts such as Moga, Khanna, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, Ropar, and Ferozepur.
In addition, one deportee each is from Haryana and Uttarakhand, while two individuals are from Telangana. Authorities confirmed that the deportation was carried out in coordination with Australian officials after these individuals were found to be in violation of immigration regulations.
Identified Individuals and Background Details
Among those returned are several individuals whose identities have been confirmed by officials. These include Satinderjit Singh Shergill from Jalandhar, Jaswant Singh from Hoshiarpur, and Angrej Singh from Tarn Taran. Others include Harpreet Singh from Moga, Jaspreet Singh from Gurdaspur, and Jagjit Singh Sidhu from Nawanshahr.
Ranjit Singh from Khanna and another Harpreet Singh from SBS Nagar were also part of the group. The only woman among the Punjab deportees, Shruti Sharma from Ropar, had reportedly been living in Australia since 2008 and was found to have overstayed her visa.
From other states, Rahul from Haryana, Kanwaljit Singh from Uttarakhand, and Samiuddin Khaja along with Abdullah Saleh Bhahatab from Telangana were also among those deported.
Government Response and Investigation Plans
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann addressed the issue, stating that the state government would investigate how these individuals managed to secure travel documents and identify any agents or networks involved in facilitating their migration.
He added that if necessary, the matter would also be raised with the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure a comprehensive inquiry. The government aims to identify any loopholes or illegal practices that may have contributed to such cases.
Focus on Reintegration and Prevention
The state government has emphasized the need to ensure a respectful and smooth reintegration process for the deported individuals. Officials indicated that efforts would be made to support their return to normal life while also addressing the broader issue of irregular migration.
Authorities are also expected to examine the systemic factors that drive individuals to seek opportunities abroad through unauthorized channels. This includes raising awareness about legal migration pathways and strengthening monitoring mechanisms to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Officials confirmed that two individuals expected in the group did not arrive, though no further details were immediately available.
The incident has once again brought attention to the challenges surrounding illegal migration and the importance of coordinated efforts between states and central agencies to address the issue effectively.