Supreme Court tells Centre to deport 17 foreigners lodged in Assam detention camps

The report submitted by the Authority said there are 17 foreigners, and four of them were detained for over two years.

Accordingly, the court ordered, “We are of the view that Union of India must take immediate steps for deporting these 17 declared foreigners as it is not the case that there are offences registered against them. Priority should be given to deport the four persons who have spent more than two years in the detention centre”.

Justice Oka remarked “in a lighter vein” that “you are giving hospitality to foreign nationals who should have gone out of India long time back|” and that way, “same money can be used for the welfare of the citizens of India”.

Justice Bhuyan sought to know what is done once a foreign tribunal gives a finding. “Do you have a deportation treaty with the neighbouring country? If they have to be sent there, how will they? You cannot keep them in centres only.”

The court asked the Centre to file an affidavit showing compliance of its order and fixed July 26 to hear it again.