Chhattisgarh High Court Clears Path for Deportation of Two Uzbekistan Nationals

The Chhattisgarh High Court has initiated legal proceedings that are expected to facilitate the deportation of two Uzbekistan nationals currently being held in custody. The individuals, Feruza Sabirova and Dinora Safytdinova, have been detained at the Raipur Central Jail since early 2026 due to complications regarding their travel documentation and visa status.

Court Intervention and Deportation Procedures

A division bench of the Chhattisgarh High Court, featuring Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal, reviewed the case and determined that the repatriation of these foreign nationals is the appropriate path forward. Both the state authorities and the Union of India have formally proposed this course of action. During the legal proceedings, the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan expressed its readiness to provide the necessary documentation and cooperation to ensure an efficient and timely return process for its citizens.

The two women were originally apprehended by local law enforcement at a private hotel in Raipur on January 9, 2026. Allegations of overstaying their permitted time in the country led to their initial detention. According to legal counsel, Feruza Sabirova had lost her passport and visa documents, while Dinora Safytdinova possessed a valid passport but had an expired visa that had lapsed on May 16, 2025.

By January 14, 2026, both individuals were moved to a detention center within the Raipur Central Jail. Subsequent legal filings by the prosecution indicated that the pair had been residing within Indian borders without maintaining the required valid travel permits. Consequently, a formal FIR was registered against them, classifying the situation as a cognizable offense, which resulted in their official arrest on April 26, 2026.

Legal Status and Future Steps

Following their arrest, the detainees were presented before the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Raipur, who ordered their remand to judicial custody. Prosecutors have maintained that their detention remains lawful, given the lack of necessary entry and stay permits. Furthermore, the authorities confirmed that the families of the women and the relevant diplomatic missions, including the Ministry of External Affairs and the Embassy of Uzbekistan in New Delhi, were duly notified of these developments.

The intervention by the high court now serves as the final step in the administrative process, clearing the path for the individuals to return to their home country. Authorities have indicated that the deportation process is slated to be completed shortly, ensuring compliance with both immigration laws and judicial directives.