Karnataka High Court Orders FRRO To Deport Thai Woman Arrested Under Trafficking Act, Citing SOP Guidelines

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has directed the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) to deport a Thai woman, who was arrested in Bengaluru and booked under the Immoral Trafficking Act.

The 42-year-old woman was arrested with another person in a raid conducted by the Ramamurthy Nagar police on February 3.

After filing the case, the woman was lodged at the FRRO facility in Tumkur. The woman moved to the high court, seeking direction for her deportation, claiming that she had come to India in search of a job and had become a victim in the hands of the person who was arrested along with her.

It was stated that she is suffering from a psychological illness and she is unable to go back to her country because her passport and visa have expired.

The Deputy Solicitor General Shanthi Bhushan H, arguing on behalf of FRRO, submitted to the court that the steps have been taken in terms of the model SOP.

Justice Nagaprasanna of the Karnataka High Court noted that the Nov 25, 2025, SOP issued by the Union of India governs the withdrawal of prosecution in case of foreign nationals, with the avowed objective of facilitating their deportation.

''The FRRO shall follow the procedure in terms of the SOP and take further steps to deport the petitioner to her country - Thailand, if not required in any of the prosecution/proceedings,'' the court noted.