Rohingya deportation after due procedure: SC

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 8

The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a plea seeking directions to the government to release Rohingya immigrants detained in Jammu and to restrain the authorities from deporting them from India.

A Bench led by CJI SA Bobde, however, said their deportation to Myanmar could take place only after following the due process of law.

“It is not possible to grant interim relief. However, it is made clear that the Rohingya in Jammu on whose behalf the application has been moved shall not be deported unless the procedure prescribed for such deportation is followed”, the top court said allowing their deportation.

The Centre has assured the Bench that the relevant laws and procedures will be scrupulously followed while deporting Rohingya to their home country.

The Supreme Court had on March 26 reserved its verdict on a plea seeking immediate release of Rohingya migrants detained in Jammu and restrain the Centre from deporting them to Myanmar. It had refused to hear UN Special Rapporteur E Tendayi Achiume in the case.

The Centre had asserted that India couldn’t become the international capital of illegal migrants. Describing Rohingya as “absolutely illegal migrants”, the Centre submitted in an affidavit that they posed serious threats to India’s national security. The plea against the deportation was filed by Mohammad Salimullah, a Rohingya refugee. The total Rohingya in Jammu are estimated to be more than 6,500.