London:
A 19-year old Indian-origin student, Yashika Bageerathi, from Mauritius at the centre of a deportation battle has left the UK today on a plane to Mauritius.
The removal of Ms Bageerathi, who has already had two late reprieves from deportation after airlines apparently refused to fly her home, has gone ahead after a last-ditch bid to secure an emergency injunction failed.She was flown back by Air Mauritius, which has issued a statement saying it "regrets this situation".
"I just can't believe they are sending her home. I thought some compassion would be shown. Her tearful mother had pleaded with the authorities to allow her to stay to complete her
A-levels. Do not force her like that to be alone,"the head-teacher of the student Lynne Dawes told Sky News.
Earlier, a judge at London's Law Courts had rejected an application to halt her removal, in order to give her legal team more time to take her case to the Court of Appeal."We thought there was a solid legal case for her to stay while she finished her A-levels. It's worrying the legal system doesn't reflect the heart of the people of this country. There had been calls for Air Mauritius not to take her on the plane,"said a spokesman for the teenager's school,
Oasis Academy Hadley in Enfield north London.
The airline said it had not been in a position previously to take Ms Bageerathi as not all conditions had been met. But it subsequently received a "directive" from the UK authorities on April 1." All conditions having been satisfied, the company had no other choice than to abide by the directive. The company has taken all steps to ensure that the flight of Ms Bhageerathi takes place in the best possible conditions.
"Air Mauritius regrets this situation, but as all airline companies cannot but abide by decisions taken by relevant authorities," said the statement. MP David Burrowes said he was "deeply disappointed" by the deportation order.
The A-level student, due to take her exams next month, was held at Yarl's Wood immigration detention centre in Bedfordshire since March 19. Immigration Minister, James Brokenshire told MPs he would intervene only in "exceptional" cases, and this did not fall into that category.
He said her case had been through the proper legal process and resulted in a Home Office decision that she does not need protection from violence or persecution.A campaign against her deportation has attracted around 175,000 signatures to an online petition and supporters of the student have vowed they will fight for her return.
Ms Bageerathi came to the UK with her mother, sister and brother in 2011 to escape a relative who was physically abusive and claimed asylum last summer.