If SC hears all political issues, what is LS there for: CJI Ramana

Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana on Thursday (April 7) expressed dismay over a string of political petitions filed in the Supreme Court.

The remarks came after the apex court agreed to list for hearing a PIL seeking direction to the Centre and others to detect, detain and deport illegal immigrants including Rohingyas and Bangladeshi nationals.

“If I agree all your matters should be taken up and the orders that are sought have to be passed, what purpose they (elected representatives) are there in Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha,” the CJI asked lawyer petitioner Ashwini Upadhyay.

“I have to hear your case every day. The problems under the sun… all problems, parliament, members’ issue, nomination issue, election reforms. These all are political issues. You go to the government and you fight with the government and seek resolution,” the CJI remarked.

The bench which also comprised justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli told Upadhyay that it would hear his PIL on the issue if the Centre, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, has filed the reply.

At outset, Upadhyay said that the plea seeks detection, detention, and deportation of illegal immigrants who, as per estimation, are five crores in numbers and taking away the right to livelihood of citizens.

On being told that the apex court had issued notices on the PIL in March 2021, the bench said that it would hear the matter if the reply has been filed by the Centre.

Upadhyay, in the PIL, has alleged large-scale illegal immigrants, particularly from Myanmar and Bangladesh, have not only threatened the demographic structure of bordering districts but have seriously impaired security and national integration.

The plea said the Law Commission in its 175th report on September 21, 2000, on the Foreigners (Amendment) Bill, 2000 has also noted that the entry of illegal immigrants and other undesirable aliens into India posed a grave threat to democracy and the security of India, especially for the eastern part of the country and Jammu and Kashmir.