The Supreme Court instructed the Central Government to deport 17 foreign nationals currently held in detention camps in Assam. A bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan issued the order after observing that the 17 individuals do not have any pending legal cases against them.
NEW DELHI: Today (16th May): The Supreme Court directed the Central government to initiate the deportation process for 17 foreign nationals currently held in detention camps in Assam.
A bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan issued the order after observing that the 17 individuals do not have any pending legal cases against them.
According to the Court,
“The report indicates the existence of a detention center, also referred to as a transit camp, in Assam. Among the detainees in this facility, there are 17 declared foreigners, four of whom have been held for a period of two years. In light of these circumstances, we assert that the Union government must promptly undertake measures to deport these 17 foreigners, given the absence of any charges against them. Priority should be accorded to the four individuals who have been detained for two years.”
The Court’s decision was prompted by the revelation that the 17 individuals in question have no pending legal proceedings against them. Emphasizing the urgency of the matter, the Bench underscored the need for immediate deportation, particularly prioritizing the four detainees who have been held for two years.
Furthermore, the Court stipulated a two-month deadline for the submission of a compliance report by the Central government regarding the deportation process.
Justice Bhuyan raised inquiries regarding the deportation process for individuals not involved in ongoing legal proceedings, questioning,
“Once these foreign tribunals have made a determination, what is the subsequent course of action? Does the government have a deportation treaty with neighboring countries? If repatriation is necessary, how will it be conducted without such a treaty in place? Merely keeping them in detention centers is not a viable long-term solution.”
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During the proceedings, Justice Oka remarked on the disparity wherein these foreigners were availing of facilities typically reserved for Indian citizens, highlighting the peculiar nature of the situation.
Justice Bhuyan also posed pertinent queries to the Union Government regarding the deportation procedure for individuals not involved in ongoing legal proceedings. He raised concerns about the lack of a deportation treaty with neighboring countries and the logistical challenges associated with repatriation in the absence of such agreements.
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The next hearing on this matter is scheduled for July 26
