Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court Orders Return of Woman Deported to Pakistan

In a recent case that highlights the importance of human rights and compassion, the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has taken a bold humanitarian step. The Court has directed the Indian government to bring back Rakshanda Rashid, a woman who was deported to Pakistan despite living in Jammu for nearly four decades.

Who is Rakshanda Rashid?

Rakshanda Rashid has lived in Jammu for the past 38 years with her husband and two children. She was staying in India on a Long Term Visa (LTV). However, after the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam in April, the Union government suspended visa services for Pakistani nationals and ordered them to leave the country by April 27, 2025.

Rakshanda was deported on April 30, just three days after the deadline and on the very same day her petition challenging the deportation was scheduled for hearing in court. She is currently stuck in a hotel in Lahore, Pakistan, with no family there and suffering from multiple health issues.

The Court Steps In

Justice Rahul Bharti, who presided over the case, expressed deep concern over the manner of her deportation. The Court noted that her case had not been examined properly and there was no detailed deportation order issued against her.

The Judge made it clear that constitutional courts sometimes need to act on humanitarian grounds — even before the full legal facts of a case are heard.

"Human rights are the most sacrosanct component of a human life... this Court is coming up with a direction to the Ministry of Home Affairs to bring back the petitioner from her deportation," the Court stated in its order on June 6.

Why This Matters

The High Court observed that simply having an LTV (Long Term Visa) does not automatically make someone a threat or justify deportation. In Rakshanda’s case, her long residence in India and her fragile health were important factors. The Court emphasized that she should not have been deported without a fair hearing or a formal decision.

What Happens Next?

The Court has ordered the Ministry of Home Affairs to take steps and bring Rakshanda back to Jammu, reuniting her with her husband, Sheikh Zahoor Ahmed. The government has been given 10 days to carry out this order.

The case is scheduled for the next hearing on July 1, where the Court will check whether its order has been followed.

Legal Representation

• For the Union Government: Deputy Solicitor General Vishal Sharma

  
  

Conclusion

This case reminds us that behind legal documents and visa rules, there are real people — with families, lives, and emotions. The High Court's action shows how law can also be a force for compassion, not just regulation. Rakshanda’s story is a powerful example of how the justice system can protect individual rights, especially when it comes to matters of life, safety, and dignity.