SC directs Union to deport 17 foreigners languishing in Assam detention centre

Noting that a number of foreigners have been languishing in detention centres for years, the top court in April had asked the State Legal Services Authority of Assam to apprise it about the foreigners detained for more than two years.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Union government to deport 17 foreigners languishing in a detention centre, in Assam, as there was no offence registered against them. 

A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan issued the direction, taking cognisance of the State Legal Services Authority's report that there are 17 declared foreigners detained in the detention centre in Assam. 

"We are of the view that Union of India must take immediate steps for deporting these 17 foreigners as there is no offence registered against them," the bench said. 

The court noted in the detention centre also known as a transit camp, there are 17 declared foreigners and four of them spent over two years.

"Priority should be given to the four persons detained for two years," the bench said, asking once the foreigners tribunals have given a finding, the government must take the next step.