Authorities stated that most of the deportees were removed after being found allegedly involved in criminal activities, breaching visa conditions, or failing to cooperate with officials.
According to a report in The Indian Express, of the 11 individuals, only two possessed valid passports, while the remaining nine travelled on emergency certificates issued by Indian diplomatic missions in Australia, allowing one-way return to India.
Before deportation, the individuals were held in various immigration detention facilities, including:
Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre
Melbourne Immigration Detention Centre
Villawood Immigration Detention Centre
An official communication shared with India’s Ministry of External Affairs noted that a majority of those deported were from Punjab and had significant criminal histories.
Australian authorities opted for a dedicated aircraft operated by Nauru Airlines, citing the “non-compliant and disruptive" conduct of several detainees. Officials said such behaviour made it unsafe to transport them on commercial flights alongside regular passengers.
The deportation operation required additional security personnel, medical staff and escorts on board, as some individuals reportedly resisted deportation procedures and declined consular assistance.
Jaswant Singh (34): Held at Yongah Hill; described as highly uncooperative. Allegations include possession of weapons and drug-related equipment, repeated bail violations, drunk driving, theft and property damage. Previous deportation attempts reportedly failed.
Angrej Singh (32): Also detained at Yongah Hill; refused consular support. Accused in multiple fraud cases, drug offences, trespassing and possession of stolen property.
Satinderjit Singh Shergill (31): Held at Melbourne facility; accused of repeated breaches of domestic violence orders, assault and offences against police.
Harpreet Singh Sidhu (30): Detained at Villawood; allegedly non-cooperative. Faced charges including methamphetamine possession, fraud, theft, trespassing, bail violations and providing false information to police.
Jagjit Singh Sidhu (35): Held at Yongah Hill; linked to burglary, vehicle theft, use of forged documents and handling stolen goods. Reportedly did not cooperate with authorities.
Jaspreet Singh (37): Detained in Melbourne; no confirmed convictions but faced serious pending charges such as shoplifting, drug possession, assault, bail violations and domestic violence-related offences.
Kanwaljeet Singh (27): Held at Villawood; accused of drug possession, shoplifting exceeding $2,000, vehicle theft, carrying a knife in public and attempting to escape custody.
Ranjit Singh (35): Detained at Yongah Hill; previous deportation attempts failed. Allegations include heroin and meth possession, theft and repeated bail breaches.
Harpreet Singh (41): Held at Melbourne centre; cooperated with authorities but faced serious charges including assault on police, stalking, intimidation, restraining order violations and a child-related sexual offence.
Shruti Sharma (45): Detained at Villawood; no criminal convictions but deported for immigration violations and initial non-cooperation.
Abdullah Saleh Bahatab (31): From Hyderabad; detained at Villawood. Cooperated with authorities but faced allegations of threatening harm, stalking and intimidation.
The level of resistance from several detainees was a key reason for arranging a chartered flight instead of using regular airline services.
Upon arrival in India, most deportees are to receive support, including financial assistance, arrangements for domestic travel and short-term accommodation. However, in the case of Shruti Sharma, these arrangements are reportedly being managed independently.
