IIOJK High Court Halts Repatriation of Pakistan-Origin Woman Amid Legal Battle

IIOJK High Court stays repatriation of Rakshanda Rashid, a 63-year-old woman deported to Pakistan after Pahalgam false flag operation.

In a deeply emotional and legally complex case, the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) High Court has granted an interim stay on the repatriation of Rakshanda Rashid, a 63-year-old Pakistan-origin woman deported earlier under controversial circumstances. This unexpected decision has left her family heartbroken, prolonging their wait for reunion.

Rakshanda Rashid, who had resided in Kashmir for decades after marrying an Indian citizen, was deported to Pakistan following the Pahalgam false flag operation. Despite holding a Long Term Visa (LTV) and other legal documentation, she was expelled without a thorough review of her case.

On June 6, Judge Rahul Bharti issued a notable ruling ordering the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to repatriate Rakshanda Rashid, highlighting that her deportation may not have been legally justified. The judge noted that her LTV status “may not have warranted her deportation” and emphasized the lack of a proper administrative review before such a harsh measure was taken.

However, the Indian MHA filed a Letters Patent Appeal (LPA) against the decision, prompting the Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Arun Palli to issue a temporary stay on her repatriation. The court admitted the appeal for hearing, putting Rakshanda’s return to India on hold.

Speaking to media, her daughter Falak Sheikh expressed anguish, saying, “My mother had all her documents and lived here for decades. Now she’s alone in Pakistan with no family or support.” She also urged the authorities to target actual illegal foreign nationals, not those like her mother who came through legal marriage and complied with all regulations.

This case underscores the growing human rights and legal concerns in IIOJK, where administrative actions often override due process. As the legal battle continues, the emotional toll on the family grows. The judiciary must now balance bureaucratic authority with humanitarian justice, ensuring that individuals like Rakshanda Rashid are not victimized by flawed policy enforcement.