SC Says Rohingyas Will Be Deported As Per Indian Law

The Supreme Court said on Thursday that if Rohingya refugees in the country were found to be foreigners as per the Indian laws, they would have to be deported. A bench consisting of Justice Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta and M Koteswar Singh remarked that the identity cards issued by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHRC) may not be a valid document to stay in India under the nation’s law. The bench was referring to a Supreme Court order issued earlier.

“If they (Rohingyas) are foreigners as per the Foreigners Act, then they have to be deported,” said Justice Datta to the senior advocate in the matter and advocate Prashant Bhushan appearing for the deferred Rohingya petitioners.

The Supreme Court also informed that some Rohingya refugees who had a UNHRC card were arrested by the police last night and deported.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared as a representative of the Centre and referred to the April 2021 order of the court and said that it binds the government to take deportation action in accordance with the law.