The Jharkhand High Court on Thursday reprimanded the state government for submitting improper affidavits in connection with a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that claims illegal immigration from Bangladesh is impacting the social demography of the Santhal Pargana districts.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi and Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad had previously instructed the deputy commissioners (DCs) of Deoghar, Pakur, Dumka, Sahibganj, Godda, and Jamtara to provide detailed reports on the status of illegal immigration within their respective districts.
The court had also directed the Superintendents of Police (SPs) from the six Santhal Pargana districts to assist the DCs in preparing these reports. Additionally, the chief secretary of the state was ordered to coordinate with the DCs to ensure comprehensive and accurate reports were submitted.
However, during the recent hearing, the court was informed that the affidavits were not filed by the DCs themselves but by subordinate officers. The bench refused to accept these affidavits and ordered them to be resubmitted by the proper authorities.
Expressing its displeasure, the bench noted that the matter was of grave importance and the actions of the DCs appeared to be an attempt to mislead the court. The court emphasized the need for accuracy and accountability in addressing the issues raised in the PIL.
The PIL alleges that illegal immigration from Bangladesh is adversely affecting the social demography of the Santhal Pargana districts. It claims that these immigrants are marrying local tribals to acquire land, thereby disrupting the social fabric of the region.
In response to these allegations, the court had on July 3rd ordered the state government to take immediate measures to identify and repatriate illegal immigrants from Bangladesh
