The Calcutta High Court has ruled that documents such as an Aadhaar card, PAN card, voter identity card and bank account are not conclusive proof of Indian citizenship, while dismissing a habeas corpus petition challenging the detention of a man alleged to be a Bangladeshi national. Identity Documents Don’t Prove CitizenshipThe Bench clarified that while documents like Aadhaar, PAN and voter identity cards may establish identity or inclusion in electoral rolls, they do not, by themselves, establish Indian citizenship. Detention, Citizenship Claims And Legal BurdenAccording to court records, Nasir was detained on June 18, 2026, under a Ministry of Home Affairs circular issued on May 2, 2025, which provides a detainee with 60 days to establish Indian citizenship. The Logical Indian’s PerspectiveQuestions around citizenship, identity and documentation can profoundly affect people’s lives, making it essential that every case is handled with fairness, transparency and due process. While courts have reiterated that identity documents alone cannot determine citizenship, authorities also carry a responsibility to ensure that investigations are thorough, impartial and respectful of constitutional rights.