Latest news with #Foreigners'Act
Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Cal HC asks Odisha govt to file affidavit in opposition to migrant workers detention claim
Kolkata, The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday directed the Odisha government to file an affidavit in opposition to the contentions in habeas corpus petitions that two Bengali-speaking migrant workers from West Bengal were illegally detained in the neighbouring state. Cal HC asks Odisha govt to file affidavit in opposition to migrant workers detention claim The Odisha government strongly denied before the court the contention that they were illegally detained. The court was informed that the two migrant workers over whom the habeas corpus petition was filed Sainur Islam and Rakibul Islam have already returned to their residences. Alleging that the two were illegally detained in Odisha, the petitioners' lawyer claimed that they are entitled to compensation. This contention was disputed by the Advocate General of Odisha. A division bench presided by Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty directed the Odisha government to file an affidavit in opposition to the contention of the petitioners by August 20. The petitioners were directed to file their reply to the contention of the Odisha government in its affidavit by August 27. The court directed that the matter will come up for hearing again on August 29. Odisha Advocate General Pitambar Acharya, appearing before the court through the virtual mode, submitted that there was no arrest of the persons over whom the habeas corpus petitions were filed. He stated before the court that the law encrafted in the Foreigners' Act authorises the civil authority to do certain things in respect of the suspected persons whose citizenship is in doubt. He stated that there was no arrest and that it was a lawful verification of documents as provided in the law, claiming that it was a frivolous petition. Acharya stated that the Odisha government has already submitted a status report on the matter before the court. Appearing for the West Bengal government, senior counsel Kalyan Banerjee stated that the opinion about a person's citizenship must be reasonable. The division bench had on July 10 directed the Odisha government to place before it relevant documents on whether the two had been detained or were missing. They were directed to answer that if they have been detained, whether such detention was in connection with any court's order and the grounds for that. The Odisha government was also asked to answer whether there has been any correspondence between the West Bengal and Odisha governments. After the order was dictated, Banerjee claimed that this was not a simple habeas corpus petition. Acharya stated that this was not an issue between the state governments of Odisha and West Bengal. He said that it is not about the citizenship of any of the two states, but of the nation. When Banerjee claimed that several Bengalis have been detained in Odisha over citizenship issues, Acharya said, "Bengalis are our neighbours and brothers and sisters. Most of the Odia people are very fond of Bengalis." He said that the current Chief Justice of the Odisha High Court is a Bengali. "We are not opposed to you, why are you opposing us?" Acharya asked, to which Banerjee said, "We must know how many Bengalis have been detained in this process." Banerjee further claimed that the alleged targeting of Bengali-speaking migrant workers in some states has become a national issue now. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Meghalaya orders crackdown on illegal B'deshis & Rohingya
Shillong: Meghalaya govt has directed all district administrations to identify and arrest illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya migrants on a priority basis. The directive follows the Union ministry of home affairs' (MHA) recent order instructing all states and union territories to form special task forces in every district to detect and deport illegal migrants within 30 days. Deputy CM Prestone Tynsong confirmed that district task forces (DTFs), established under the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), 2016, are already operational. He emphasised that strict enforcement of the Foreigners' Act is underway, with deputy commissioners instructed to act immediately on any credible intelligence regarding illegal immigrants. "As far as illegal foreigners are concerned, we have already directed all DCs to crackdown and put this on priority basis. The (Foreigners') Act is being followed strictly," he said. Meghalaya shares a 443-km international border with Bangladesh, raising concerns over increasing illegal migration into the state. Authorities have assured that all legal protocols for identification and deportation will be followed rigorously.
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Business Standard
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Rohingya refugees must be deported if deemed foreigners under law: SC
The Supreme Court on Thursday said if Rohingya refugees in the country were found to be foreigners under Indian laws they will have to be deported. A bench of Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta and N Kotiswar Singh referred to a top court's order and remarked the identity cards issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) may not be of any help to them under the law. "If they are foreigners as per the Foreigners Act, then they have to be deported," Justice Datta told senior advocate Colin Gonsalves and advocate Prashant Bhushan appearing for different Rohingya petitioners seeking various reliefs. The top court was informed that some refugees having UNHCR cards, including women and children, were arrested by police authorities late last night and deported, despite a hearing slated on Thursday. Justice Datta said, "If they (Rohingyas) are all foreigners and if they are covered by the Foreigners' Act, then they will have to be dealt with as per the Foreigners' Act." The court decided to hear the matter finally and posted the hearing on July 31. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, referred to the April 8, 2021 order of the court and said it bound the government to take deportation action in accordance with law. Gonsalves said last night's events were "alarming" and "shocking" as it amounted to overreach of the court's decisions. Referring to the UNHCR cards, Mehta said India was not a signatory to the refugee convention. The April 2021 order said the rights guaranteed under Articles 14 and 21 are available to all persons who may or may not be citizens but the right of not to be deported, is ancillary or concomitant to the right to reside or settle in any part of the territory of India guaranteed under Article 19(1)(e). During the hearing, Bhushan urged the bench to finally hear the matter saying it was not the Refugee Convention alone which needs to be seen, but also the Genocide Convention which has been ratified by India. Justice Kant said, "It would be better that instead of passing interlocutory orders of any nature, we take up these matters and decide either way. If they have a right to stay here, that should be acknowledged, and if they don't have a right to stay here, then they will have to follow the procedure and deport as per the law." When Gonsalves again expressed apprehension of further deportations, Justice Kant said Mehta had assured deportations would happen in line with Indian laws.
Hindustan Times
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Rohingya refugees need to be deported if held foreigners: SC
New Delhi, The Supreme Court on Thursday said if Rohingya refugees in the country were found to be foreigners under Indian laws they will have to be deported. A bench of Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta and N Kotiswar Singh referred to a top court's order and remarked the identity cards issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees may not be of any help to them under the law. "If they are foreigners as per the Foreigners Act, then they have to be deported," Justice Datta told senior advocate Colin Gonsalves and advocate Prashant Bhushan appearing for different Rohingya petitioners seeking various reliefs. The top court was informed that some refugees having UNHCR cards, including women and children, were arrested by police authorities late last night and deported, despite a hearing slated on Thursday. Justice Datta said, "If they are all foreigners and if they are covered by the Foreigners' Act, then they will have to be dealt with as per the Foreigners' Act." The court decided to hear the matter finally and posted the hearing on July 31. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, referred to the April 8, 2021 order of the court and said it bound the government to take deportation action in accordance with law. Gonsalves said last night's events were "alarming" and "shocking" as it amounted to overreach of the court's decisions. Referring to the UNHCR cards, Mehta said India was not a signatory to the refugee convention. The April 2021 order said the rights guaranteed under Articles 14 and 21 are available to all persons who may or may not be citizens but the right of not to be deported, is ancillary or concomitant to the right to reside or settle in any part of the territory of India guaranteed under Article 19. During the hearing, Bhushan urged the bench to finally hear the matter saying it was not the Refugee Convention alone which needs to be seen, but also the Genocide Convention which has been ratified by India. Justice Kant said, "It would be better that instead of passing interlocutory orders of any nature, we take up these matters and decide either way. If they have a right to stay here, that should be acknowledged, and if they don't have a right to stay here, then they will have to follow the procedure and deport as per the law." When Gonsalves again expressed apprehension of further deportations, Justice Kant said Mehta had assured deportations would happen in line with Indian laws.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
CID books Ramesh for flouting citizenship act
Hyderabad: Telangana CID registered a case against BRS leader and four-time MLA from Vemulawada, Chennamaneni Ramesh , under various sections of the IPC, Indian Passport Act, Foreigners' Act, and the Indian Citizenship Act . Tired of too many ads? go ad free now CID initiated action against the former legislator on a complaint from Vemulawada MLA and govt whip, Adi Srinivas. Earlier in December 2024, the Telangana high court stripped Ramesh of his Indian citizenship after finding that he was a German citizen. The court found his approach misleading in acquiring Indian citizenship through the suppression of facts and declared him ineligible for contesting elections in India. Sources in CID confirmed that Srinivas lodged a complaint based on the HC order and informed them that the delay in lodging the complaint was due to obtaining the judgment copy from the HC and after consulting his legal team. They have asked Srinivas to submit the evidence and other details related to the complaint, following which the investigation would proceed, added the source. Ramesh was elected four times as MLA from Vemulawada. In the 2009 and 2010 by-elections, he won on a TDP ticket, and in 2014 and 2018, he was elected as MLA on a BRS ticket. Srinivas lost thrice to him before winning the election in 2023 on a Congress ticket.
