SC to govt: Clarify SOP on deportation drive

SC SAID GOVT MUST CLARIFY ITS STANCE IN VIEW OF ALLEGATIONS THAT LANGUAGE WAS BEING USED AS A PRESUMPTION OF FOREIGN ORIGIN

- Utkarsh Anand

The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Union government to explain the standard operating procedure (SOP) being followed under its May 2 notification authorising a nationwide drive to identify and deport illegal immigrants, stressing that the Centre ought to dispel allegations that members of the Bengali-speaking minority community were being singled out.

A bench of justices Surya Kant, Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi noted the sensitivity of the issue, observing that while national security and preservation of resources were paramount, the government must clarify its stance in view of allegations that language alone was being used as a presumption of foreign origin.

"We would like you to clarify that a certain bias in respect of exercise of powers is sought to be demonstrated in the petition... they cite use of language being a presumption of being a foreigner," the bench told solicitor general Tushar Mehta, who appeared for the Union.