New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday (January 22) has slammed the Assam government for its “defective” affidavit, which failed to provide reasons for detaining 270 foreigners at the Matia transit camp, news agency PTI reported.
On December 9, the court had granted the state government six weeks to file the affidavit, expecting details on the detention and deportation process. However, the affidavit lacked justification for detaining the foreigners and didn’t outline steps taken for their deportation. “This is gross violation of orders of this court,” the bench, comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh, was quoted as saying by PTI.
The court directed Assam chief secretary Ravi Kota to appear via video-conferencing on the next date of hearing to explain the non-compliance. The bench expressed displeasure over the state government’s handling of the matter.
Also read: SC Seeks Response From Centre, Assam Govt on Deportation of 211 Foreign Nationals
The Assam government counsel argued that the detained individuals were declared foreigners by the foreigners tribunals, and the deportation process takes place through the Union government. However, the court questioned why detentions continued without initiating the deportation process.
The court also criticised the state government’s claim that the affidavit was confidential, containing sensitive information such as the addresses of foreigners.
“Assam counsel states that affidavit filed should be kept in sealed envelope, as contents thereof are confidential. Though we are directing that it be kept in sealed envelope, prima facie we disagree with the counsel that there is something confidential about the contents,” the bench was quoted as saying by PTI.
This development comes after the Supreme Court directed the Assam State Legal Services Authority to conduct surprise visits at the Matia transit camp to assess the facility’s hygiene and food quality. The court had also ordered the Union government to take immediate steps for deporting 17 foreigners detained at the Matia transit camp, prioritising those who had spent over two years in the detention centre.
The Supreme Court bench was hearing a petition related to the deportation of individuals declared foreigners and the living conditions at the detention centers in Assam. Additionally, the petition sought a court order restraining the Assam government from detaining anyone declared a foreigner by the tribunal unless it could demonstrate a viable plan for their imminent deportation.