What happened
The Supreme Court has asked the Union government and other respondents to reply to a petition seeking directions to start an appeal process for persons excluded from the final National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam. The petition, filed by the Assam State Jamiat Ulama, also asks for issuance of national identity cards to persons included in the final NRC.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice Suryakant, with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, issued notice and tagged the plea with a pending matter on the same issue.
Background and earlier position
The final NRC for Assam was published on 31 August 2019. The NRC State Coordinator’s office said the updated register validated bona fide Indian citizens of Assam, included about 3.11 crore applicants, and excluded about 19.06 lakh applicants out of 3.3 crore applicants in total.
The petitioner's counsel argued that the appeal provision exists in law, but the appeal process has not been implemented, leaving excluded persons in hardship. The plea therefore seeks judicial directions to activate the appellate pathway.
Related current affairs
- NRC ID: SC seeks reply from Centre, Assam
- Where does the law stand on internet shutdowns?
- Comply with Bhojshala order, SC tells Centre, M.P.
- ‘Don’t play politics’: SC on Ram Temple demolition/obstruction allegations
- SC refuses to entertain plea to curb social media content
- Supreme Court statement says allegations against sitting judge must follow institutional mechanism