Detained to Citizen: Depali Das's Landmark CAA Journey

Depali Das, once detained as an illegal migrant, becomes the first declared foreigner in Assam to gain Indian citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). After spending nearly two years in detention, her application was accepted, thanks to a crucial chargesheet. Her case marks a significant CAA application success.

A 59-year-old woman, Depali Das, who had been detained for two years after being declared a foreigner, has been granted Indian citizenship in Assam's Cachar district under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), according to her lawyer.

Originally from Bangladesh, Depali moved to India in 1988 with her husband. Her citizenship status came under scrutiny in 2013, and she was subsequently declared an illegal migrant in 2019 by a Foreigners' Tribunal (FT). After spending nearly two years in detention, she was released on bail in 2021. Her successful citizenship application under the CAA hinged on a decisive police chargesheet from 2013 that confirmed her migration origins.

Depali's case marks a landmark moment, emphasized by her lawyer, in the application of the CAA, which has been contentious since its passage in 2019. Her citizenship certificate now provides a security blanket for her children, all born in India, against future legal challenges regarding their nationality.

(With inputs from agencies.)