Guwahati, July 14: Raijor Dal founder and Sibsagar MLA Akhil Gogoi on Monday welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to set aside 27 Gauhati High Court judgments that had upheld Foreigners Tribunal orders, describing the verdict as a “big slap” on the Assam government and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Reacting to the apex court’s ruling, Gogoi alleged that the state government had been attempting to bypass legal procedures in matters related to citizenship and was exerting pressure on Foreigners Tribunals to declare people as foreigners.
“The verdict of the Supreme Court is a big slap on the Chief Minister’s face,” Gogoi told reporters.
He further alleged that the Chief Minister had recently claimed that individuals could be detained as “doubtful citizens” without the need to approach a court. According to Gogoi, such a course of action had no legal basis and was contrary to due process.
The Raijor Dal legislator also claimed that the Assam government had been repeatedly pressuring courts and Foreigners Tribunals to declare individuals as foreigners and expedite their removal after such declarations.
Welcoming the Supreme Court’s ruling, Gogoi said the judgment should serve as a reminder to the state government to uphold the rule of law and ensure that citizenship-related matters are handled in accordance with legal procedures.
The Supreme Court recently set aside 27 Gauhati High Court judgments that had upheld orders of Foreigners Tribunals declaring individuals as foreigners. The apex court remanded the cases to the respective tribunals for fresh adjudication, stressing that citizenship disputes must be decided through a fair, lawful and reasonable process.
