India
SC issues notice to central government on Jharkhand’s plea against HC order on illegal immigration | India News – Times of India
The Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Ahsanuddin Amanullah sought a response from the Center on the issue by December 3, while the state government could refuse to appoint its members to the committee.
The petition highlights that the inquiry committee has been constituted despite existing reports from deputy commissioners of six districts (Godda, Jamtara, Pakur, Dumka, Sahibganj and Deoghar). These reports showed that there was no illegal migration, except for two cases in Sahibganj district, which were already being dealt with by the state authorities.
The State of Jharkhand, in the plea, opposed the formation of the committee, saying the respondent’s claims about demographic changes due to illegal immigration are baseless.
Earlier, while hearing the case on Monday, the SC bench questioned the validity of the Supreme Court order and noted that the state had autonomous powers under the existing law to address any issues.
Kapil Sibal, the senior lawyer appearing for the state, has sought a stay following the Supreme Court’s order. Sibal said Jharkhand was not a border state, but the court order has become the subject of speeches ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled this month.
The original Public Interest Litigation, filed in the Jharkhand High Court, says that the indigenous tribal populations in Sahebgang, Pakur, Godda, Dumka, Jamtara and Deoghar districts are experiencing population decline. The petitioner claims that this is due to forced conversions by Bengali Muslims, who strategically encourage tribals to leave areas where they still have a significant presence.
