GUWAHATI: The Supreme Court has highlighted severe deficiencies in infrastructure and facilities in Assam's foreigner detention centres. The Court, led by Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih, described the conditions as "deplorable," citing inadequate water supply, poor sanitation, and the lack of proper toilets.
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The concerns arose from a recent report by the Assam State Legal Services Authority, which revealed that the detention centres lack essential amenities. "There are no proper toilets, no medical facilities. What kind of facilities is being managed here?" questioned the Court.
Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves, representing the petitioner, criticised the conditions in the large detention centre housing around 3,000 individuals. He argued that the authorities need to conduct on-ground inspections rather than relying solely on reported information.
The Court has directed the Assam State Legal Services Authority to conduct another visit to the detention centre to evaluate not only the conditions mentioned in the report but also the quality and quantity of food served and the cleanliness of the kitchen. The Secretary of the Authority has been ordered to submit a fresh report within three weeks.
Additionally, the Court has instructed the Union Government to provide a response regarding the deportation process for those detained, some of whom have been held for up to two years. The Court also emphasised the need for legal aid for individuals from the Foreigners' Tribunal seeking to approach the High Court.
In response to these issues, the Union Government must address the steps for deportation and ensure that no individual is deported while their case remains pending.
