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2019 DIGILAW 64 (GAU)

MONODUTI NANDI v. UNION OF INDIA

2019-01-21

ACHINTYA MALLA BUJOR BARUA, AJIT BORTHAKUR

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JUDGMENT : A.M. Bujor Barua, J. Heard Mr. A.R. Sikdar, learned counsel for the petitioner. Also heard Mr. AI Ali, learned counsel for the Election Commission of India and Mr. J Payeng, learned counsel for the State of Assam appearing for the Foreigners’ Tribunal and Border Areas, Ms. A Verma, learned standing counsel for the authorities under the NRC as well as Ms. G Sarma, learned counsel for the authorities under the Union of India. 2. The petitioners were referred by the Superintendent of Police, Borders, Nagaon for a determination as to whether they are foreigners, who had entered India from the erstwhile East Pakistan to Assam between 1966 to 1970 and since then have been residing in the village No.1, Pipal-Pukhuri, P.S: Lanka. The petitioners appeared before the Tribunal and submitted their written statement but thereafter, remained absent and did not participate in the further proceedings. 3. Before the Tribunal, the Investigating Officer had deposed that when he had visited the place where they were staying and had required them to produce any relevant document to show that they had entered India prior to 1966, the petitioners had failed. Based on the aforesaid material being produced, the Tribunal by its order dated 16.06.1993 had declared that the petitioner came to India from the erstwhile East Pakistan between the years 1966 and 25.03.1971. 4. Although a writ petition was preferred by the petitioners against the order of the Tribunal being Civil Rule No.2263/1994, but by the order dated 25.09.2002, the petitioners were required to get themselves registered before the Regional Foreigners Registration Office at Nagaon. As the petitioners were not registered, the authorities sought to deport them from the Territory of India and in the circumstance the writ petition has been preferred. 5. In this writ petition, the petitioners pray for a direction that they be allowed to register themselves before the Regional Foreigners Registration Office as provided under Section 6A(3) of the Citizenship Act of 1955. 6. 5. In this writ petition, the petitioners pray for a direction that they be allowed to register themselves before the Regional Foreigners Registration Office as provided under Section 6A(3) of the Citizenship Act of 1955. 6. We have perused the provisions of Section 6A(3) which is as follows: (3) Subject to the provisions of sub-sections (6) and (7), every person of Indian origin who- (a) came to Assam on or after the 1st day of January, 1966 but before the 25th day of March, 1971 from the specified territory; and (b) has, since the date of his entry into Assam, been ordinarily resident in Assam; and (c) has been detected to be a foreigner, shall register himself in accordance with the rules made by the Central Government in this behalf under section 18 with such authority (thereafter in this sub-section referred to as the registering authority) as may be specified in such rules and if his name is included in any electoral roll for any Assembly or Parliamentary constituency in force on the date of such detection, his name shall be deleted therefrom. Explanation.-In the case of every person seeking registration under this sub-section, the opinion of the Tribunal constituted under the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, 1964 holding such person to be a foreigner, shall be deemed to be sufficient proof of the requirement under clause (c) of this sub-section and if any question arises as to whether such person complies with any other requirement under this sub-section, the registering authority shall,- (i) if such opinion contains a finding with respect to such other requirement, decide the question in conformity with such finding; (ii) if such opinion does not contain a finding with respect to such other requirement, refer the question to a Tribunal constituted under the said Order hang jurisdiction in accordance with such rules as the Central Government may make in this behalf under section 18 and decide the question in conformity with the opinion received on such reference. 7. The requirement of registering with the Foreigners Registration Authority under Section 6A(3) of the Citizenship Act is subject to the following conditions precedent: (i) that the proceedee came to Assam after 01.01.1966 but before 25.03.1971; (ii) and sincethedateofhisentryintoAssam,beenordinarilyresidentinAssam;and (iii) has been detected to be a foreigner. 8. 7. The requirement of registering with the Foreigners Registration Authority under Section 6A(3) of the Citizenship Act is subject to the following conditions precedent: (i) that the proceedee came to Assam after 01.01.1966 but before 25.03.1971; (ii) and sincethedateofhisentryintoAssam,beenordinarilyresidentinAssam;and (iii) has been detected to be a foreigner. 8. In the instant case, as per the order of the Tribunal dated 16.06.1993, it is taken note of that there is no finding of a fact that since the date of their entry into Assam, the petitioners had ordinarily been residing in Assam. The only finding arrived is that the petitioners have entered India between 01.01.1966 and 25.03.1971. As the requirement of the conditions precedent of Section 6 A(3) had not been fulfilled in the case of the petitioners as revealed from the order of the Tribunal, we are of the view that there is a requirement of law to arrive at a finding of fact that the petitioners have ordinarily been residing in Assam since the date of their entry. 9. In view of the above, we are of the view that interest of justice would be met, if the petitioners are required to reappear before the Foreigners Tribunal at Nagaon for a determination as to whether they have been a resident of Assam since the date of their entry between 01.01.1966 and 25.03.1971. 10. For the purpose, the Tribunal may take any further evidence that may be required in order to enable the petitioners to establish that they have ordinarily been a resident in Assam since the date of their entry. For the purpose, the petitioners shall appear before the Tribunal on 21.02.2019 and upon their appearance, the Tribunal shall decide the requirement as indicated above within a period of 30 days thereafter. It is provided that in the event, the petitioners do not appear or do not cooperate with the Tribunal, the Tribunal would be at liberty to pass any order as it may deem fit and proper. 11. It is clarified that as in the meantime, a number of Foreigners Tribunal are in operation in the Nagaon district, the petitioners shall now appear before the Foreigners Tribunal No.1 at Nagaon. 12. In terms of the above, this writ petition stands disposed of.