NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court issued notice to the Central government on Friday regarding a plea filed by Jharkhand government challenging the high court’s September 2024 order, which ordered establishing a fact-finding committee of Central government officers to look into the illegal immigrants in the state from Bangladesh.
The Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Ahsanuddin Amanullah sought the Centre’s response by December 3 on the issue, whilst allowing the state government to withhold nominating its members to the Committee.
The petition highlights that the fact-finding committee was established despite existing reports from deputy commissioners of six districts (Godda, Jamtara, Pakur, Dumka, Sahibganj, and Deoghar). These reports suggested no illegal migration, except for two instances in Sahibganj District, which were already being dealt with by the State authorities.
The state of Jharkhand in the plea opposed the committee’s formation, saying that the Respondent’s claims about demographic changes due to illegal immigration are unfounded.
Earlier, while hearing the matter on Monday, the SC bench questioned the validity of the high court’s ruling, noting that the State possessed autonomous authority under existing legislation to address any issues, if any.
Kapil Sibal, the senior advocate appearing for the State, requested a stay on the high court’s order. Sibal said Jharkhand was not a border State, but the court order has become a subject matter for speeches in the run-up to Assembly 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 alleges this is due to forced conversions by Bangladeshi Muslims, who are strategically encouraging tribal inhabitants to vacate areas where they maintain significant presence.
