"Are You Waiting For Some Muhurat?" Supreme Court Rebukes Assam Government For Indefinite Detention Of Foreigners, Orders Immediate Deportation

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (4 January) strongly criticised the Assam government for indefinitely detaining people declared as foreigners instead of deporting them, questioning whether the state was "waiting for some muhurat (auspicious time)".

A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan stressed that once individuals are officially deemed foreigners, deportation must follow without delay, reported PTI.

"You have refused to start deportation saying their addresses are not known. Why should it be our concern? You deport to their foreign country. Are you waiting for some muhurat?" the bench remarked.

Expressing concern over the prolonged confinement of individuals in Assam's foreigner detention centres, the court reminded the state of constitutional protections.

"Once you declare a person foreigner, then you have to take the next logical step. You cannot detain them till eternity. Article 21 of the Constitution is there. There are many foreigner detention centres in Assam. How many have you deported?" the justices stated.

The apex court directed the Assam government to begin deporting 63 detainees within two weeks and submit a compliance affidavit.

The matter was heard as part of a plea regarding the deportation of declared foreigners and the conditions of Assam’s detention centres.