The Supreme Court of India has strongly reprimanded the Assam government for failing to deport 63 individuals who have been declared as foreigners. The top court questioned whether the state was waiting for a “muhurat” (auspicious time) to take action, ordering immediate deportation.
A bench comprising Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan criticized the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led Assam government for withholding crucial facts regarding the deportation process. The court’s directive comes amid the ongoing update of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state.
Justice Oka accused Assam authorities of suppressing information, prompting Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta to acknowledge certain shortcomings and issue an apology after consulting with the highest authorities. “We will issue a perjury notice to you. You are supposed to come clean,” Justice Oka warned.
The state counsel denied any intent to conceal facts, but Justice Oka dismissed the claim. “Of course, there is. Why have you not given the dates on which verification took place? The affidavit is defective,” he observed.
Justice Bhuyan further emphasized the need for swift action, stating, “Once you declare a person as a foreigner, you must take the next logical step. You can’t detain them forever. Article 21 is there. There are many foreigner detention centres in Assam. How many have you deported?”
The Supreme Court directed the Assam government to proceed with the deportation immediately. Justice Oka remarked, “You know the status of their citizenship. Then how can you wait till their address is received? It is for the other country to decide where they should go.”
The court also questioned Assam’s failure to seek assistance from the Ministry of External Affairs in expediting the deportation process.