Kolkata, Oct. 8 -- The Calcutta high court on Thursday questioned whether the West Bengal government could deport to Bangladesh all those who crossed the international border in the 1970s, while hearing a petition challenging the detention of a man held since August 10 for deportation.

"How many persons crossed the border in the 70s? Is it possible to send them back whole hog? Visit the bordering districts. Is it possible?" observed a bench of Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya.

The court was hearing a petition concerning a man, Sahidul Sheikh, who was detained by the police at Raninagar in Murshidabad on August 10 during a special drive. The police interrogated him and accused him of being a Bangladeshi.

The Foreigners Registration Officer...