New Delhi, July 31 (HS): The Supreme Court addressed petitions regarding the detection and deportation of alleged Rohingya and Bangladeshi infiltrators, prioritizing the Rohingya cases as suggested by the Union of India. The petitions were categorized into three groups, with a bench comprising Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta, and N Kotiswar Singh set to review specific issues, including the potential declaration of Rohingyas as refugees and the implications of their legal status on deportation and detention.

The bench raised concerns about the justification for clubbing the cases, to which Advocate Kanu Agarwal responded that it was due to the common party, the Union of India, and shared interpretations of the Foreigners Act.

Justice Kant emphasized the intention to reach a definitive conclusion, acknowledging that if Rohingyas have a right to remain in India, it would be recognized; otherwise, deportation would proceed legally. The petitioners expressed concern over ongoing deportations, but Justice Kant reiterated Solicitor General Tushar Mehta's assurance for lawful procedures. Previously, in 2021, Justice NV Ramana had highlighted the importance of these issues while questioning the role of elected representatives.

Advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay filed the PIL after the Centre reported millions of illegal Bangladeshi migrants in India, urging changes to laws to classify illegal immigration as a cognizable offence and seek action against those facilitating illegal documentation. The petitioner emphasized the urgency of identifying and addressing illegal migrants to uphold national security and integration, framing the concern as one crossing religious and linguistic lines.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar