INDIA, Dec. 3 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday questioned the legal status of Rohingya living in India, asking whether individuals who enter the country illegally should receive a "red carpet welcome" while Indian citizens face poverty.

A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi raised the issue while hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by rights activist Rita Manchanda, which alleged that several Rohingya had gone missing from authorities' custody in Delhi. The hearing has now been adjourned to December 16.

The petitioner claimed that certain Rohingya were taken into custody by the Delhi Police in May, but their whereabouts remain unknown.

Chief Justice Kant questioned the premise of the petition, saying, "I...