Supreme Court to hear on Nov 8 plea against HC setting up panel to examine illegal immigration in Jharkhand

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday decided to consider a plea by the Jharkhand Government against an order of the High Court to set up a fact-finding committee with officers from the Union government, to examine into allegations of illegal immigration into the state from Bangladesh.

A bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Ahsanuddin Amanullah posted the plea against the interim order for examination on Friday, saying it was a serious issue, and the bench required time to go through the files carefully.

During the brief hearing, the bench put a question mark over the High Court’s order, observing that the State had independent powers under the law to tackle the problem, if any. 

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the State, sought a stay of the High Court order. He 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 High Court's order was passed on a PIL filed by Danyaal Danish alleging widespread illegal immigration and infiltration into the six districts of Godda, Jamtara, Pakur, Dumka, Sahibganj and Deoghar.

The petitioner claimed that the demographic set up of Jharkhand, in particular the Santhal Pargana region was changing rapidly, showing a decrease in the tribal population.