The Supreme Court has criticized the Assam government for failing to justify the detention of 270 foreign nationals at the Matia transit camp, describing its affidavit as “defective.” A bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh directed the Chief Secretary of Assam to appear via video conference at the next hearing to explain the state’s non-compliance with previous court orders.
The court had granted the state six weeks to provide an affidavit explaining the reasons for the detentions and the steps taken to deport the individuals. However, the affidavit submitted lacked sufficient details, prompting the court to call it a gross violation of its directives.
While the Assam government’s counsel defended the detentions, claiming they were based on declarations by Foreigners Tribunals, the court expressed concern over the absence of progress in the deportation process. Additionally, the court questioned the state’s decision to seal the affidavit, pressing for greater transparency.
In a previous order, the Supreme Court had instructed the Assam State Legal Services Authority to conduct surprise inspections at the Matia transit camp to assess its facilities and conditions. The case remains under scrutiny as the court continues to address concerns regarding the treatment of detained foreign nationals in Assam.
