Supreme Court Orders Deportation of 17 Foreigners from Assam Detention Centre
Desk Report, May 16, 2024: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Union of India to expedite the deportation of 17 foreigners detained in a detention centre in Assam, noting that no offences have been registered against them. The bench, comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, made this ruling based on a report submitted by the State Legal Services Authority of Assam.
The court underscored the prolonged detention of these individuals, who have been languishing in the detention centre without any criminal charges. “We are of the view that the Union of India must take immediate steps for deporting these 17 foreigners as there is no offence registered against them,” stated the bench.
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In a broader context, the Supreme Court has been addressing the issue of prolonged detentions in Assam’s centres. In April, the court instructed the State Legal Services Authority to provide a detailed account of foreigners who have been detained for over two years. Furthermore, the court mandated the legal services authority to form a team to inspect the detention centres and report on the facilities available to the detainees.
This directive comes in response to a plea advocating for the release of individuals who have spent more than two years in detention centres in Assam. The Supreme Court’s intervention highlights ongoing concerns about the treatment and legal status of foreigners in detention, aiming to ensure that their human rights are upheld in accordance with the law.
