Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Gogoi Seeks Jaishankar’s Help to Trace Two Women in Bangladesh
Two women from Assam, Jahanara Begum and Mumtaz Begum, have not been found since they were allegedly sent to Bangladesh in June.
Gaurav Gogoi has asked India’s foreign minister to help find them and bring them home.
A tribunal had called the women foreigners in 2019.
A court later said the tribunal needed to look at their cases again.
The women went back to the tribunal in May, but Gogoi says they were taken into custody before they could properly challenge its new decisions.
The Gauhati High Court has made orders in their cases, including interim payments to family members.
Gogoi wants Indian officials in Bangladesh to work with Bangladeshi authorities and keep the families informed.
The articles do not report a response from the government to Gogoi’s latest request.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi asked External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to help locate Jahanara Begum and Mumtaz Begum and facilitate their return from Bangladesh.
The two women from Nagaon district were allegedly sent across the India-Bangladesh border on the night of June 13–14; their whereabouts have not been reported since.
A Nagaon Foreigners Tribunal declared both women foreigners in 2019, but the Gauhati High Court set aside those opinions in April 2026 and ordered fresh consideration.
After appearing before the tribunal in May, both women were taken into custody; Gogoi says they could not effectively obtain and challenge the fresh opinions before being expelled.
The High Court made the MEA a party in Jahanara’s case, ordered interim compensation in both cases, and set safeguards concerning notice and access to tribunal opinions.
- Who
- Gaurav Gogoi asked External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to help locate Jahanara Begum and Mumtaz Begum.
- What
- Gogoi seeks their tracing and return after their alleged expulsion across the India-Bangladesh border.
- When
- The women were allegedly sent across the border on the night of June 13–14. Gogoi’s request was reported on October 3; one report says he wrote Friday and another says Saturday.
- Where
- The women are from Bagariguri and Dhing Gaon in Nagaon district, Assam; the reported crossing was near Gate No. 2 and Border Pillar No. 1339/MP.
- Why
- Gogoi says their whereabouts remain unknown and that they were sent out of India without an effective opportunity to pursue legal challenges.
- Women named
- Jahanara Begum and Mumtaz Begum
- Home district
- Nagaon district, Assam
- Alleged crossing
- Night of June 13–14, through Gate No. 2 near Border Pillar No. 1339/MP, according to Gogoi
- Earlier tribunal opinions
- The Nagaon Foreigners Tribunal declared both women foreigners in 2019
- High Court action
- In April 2026, the Gauhati High Court set aside the earlier opinions and ordered fresh consideration
- Interim compensation
- The court ordered Assam to pay Rs 2 lakh to Jahanara’s son and Rs 2 lakh to Mumtaz’s husband
- Requested diplomatic steps
- Gogoi asked the MEA to contact Bangladesh and have Indian missions in Dhaka and Sylhet pursue tracing, return, consular assistance and travel documentation
