SHILLONG — The High Court of Meghalaya has revealed that 17 foreign nationals remain incarcerated in Shillong District Jail despite having completed their official prison terms.
The findings were detailed during a hearing on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, where a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh reviewed a writ petition initiated by the court’s Registrar General.
A court-appointed inspection team visited the Shillong District Jail to evaluate living conditions, basic facilities, and access to legal aid. The inspection revealed that one Myanmar national has been held behind bars for over 10 years following the expiration of their sentence. Additionally, one Nigerian national and 15 Bangladeshi nationals have remained in custody for periods ranging between six months and two years after completing their respective terms.
During the proceedings, the Division Bench admonished Additional Advocate General Khalid Khan for submitting “completely misleading and incorrect” information regarding prison conditions and inmate status in an official letter dated August 28.
Addressing the reasons behind the continued detentions, the State’s Inspector General of Prisons informed the bench that the foreign nationals were kept in prison due to the absence of dedicated detention centres within Meghalaya.
In response, the court observed that under existing legal frameworks, foreign nationals who complete their prison terms must be transferred to temporary holding facilities rather than remaining in standard correctional facilities. The bench directed the Additional Advocate General to obtain specific instructions regarding how quickly a temporary location could be designated as a detention centre while a permanent facility is established.
The court also noted additional concerns regarding prison populations across the state. In separate testimony, Yangi B. reported finding 11 prisoners who had completed their sentences across three other correctional facilities in Meghalaya, though it remains unconfirmed whether those individuals are Indian citizens or foreign nationals.
The High Court indicated that impacted individuals may be eligible for legal redress, stating that the issue of financial compensation for those held beyond their formal sentences will be evaluated at an appropriate stage of the proceedings.
Sources
– [The Hindu – National](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/meghalaya/17-foreigners-in-meghalaya-jail-after-completing-sentence-high-court-finds/article71450841.ece)
Source: The Hindu – National
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Story synopsis gathered from: The Hindu – National — source
