ADVERTISEMENT

Assam NRC: SC Orders Resumption Of Filing Claims From Sept. 25

A bench of Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice RF Nariman said the process will commence on Sept. 25, will remain open for 60 days.

A woman carries her documents in Assam. (Source: NRC Assam website)
A woman carries her documents in Assam. (Source: NRC Assam website)

The Supreme Court today ordered the resumption of filing of claims and objections by around 40 lakh people who were left out in the draft National Register of Citizens of Assam.

A bench of Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice RF Nariman said the process will commence on Sept. 25 and will remain open for 60 days.

"We are of the view that all that which we are required to do at this stage is to open the filing of claims and objections with regard to inclusion in the draft NRC published in July this year," the bench said. It also made clear that a second opportunity has been granted to the citizens keeping in mind the "magnitude" of the issue.

Opinion
NRC: Fears Of ‘Witch Hunt And Chaos’ As 40 Lakh Are Left Out In Assam

The bench, which has now posted the matter for hearing on Oct. 23, has sought the view of Prateek Hajela, coordinator of the Assam NRC, on the stance of the central government with regard to applicability and non-applicability of certain documents for inclusion of names in the NRC.

The final draft of the NRC list was published on July 30 in which names of around 2.89 crore of the 3.29 crore people were included. The names of 40.7 lakh people did not figure in the list. Of these, 37.59 lakh names have been rejected and the remaining 2.48 lakh have been put on hold.

The apex court, on Sept.5, has ordered that any one of the 10 of a possible 15 documents provided in the list-A of the claim form can be used by the claimants to prove legacy.

It had also expressed reservation over sharing with the Centre the copy of the NRC Coordinator's report on the modalities for receiving claims from those excluded in the draft NRC, saying that although the government of India was "extremely interested", the court "has to strike a balance”.

Opinion
My Mother Can Fight Her NRC Exclusion, but What About the Rest?

The court had said that the report with regard to the preparation of the modalities of the standard operating procedure for dealing with claims and objections, has been considered.

Hajela had filed the report in compliance with the court's Aug. 28 order and stated that the 10 documents of list-A could be relied upon or introduced afresh by any claimant for his or her claim for inclusion in the NRC, subject to their authenticity as per the certification by the relevant issuing authority.

The 10 legacy documents which are admissible include land documents like registered sale deed, permanent residential certificate issued from outside the state, passport and LIC insurance policy of the relevant period.

Other documents which can be relied upon include any license or certificate issued by a government authority of the relevant period, papers showing service or employment under government or public sector undertakings, bank or post office accounts, birth certificates, educational certificate and records or processes pertaining to courts, provided they are part of a processing in a Judicial or Revenue Court.

The report had said that all these documents should be of the relevant period up to the midnight of March 24, 1971.

The list of documents to prove legacy, which were in the list-A of the claim form but were not included in the report include extract of NRC, 1951, extract or certified copy of electoral rolls up to the midnight of March 24, 1971, citizenship certificate issued by competent authority, refugee registration certificate and ration cards issued by competent authority with official seal and signature.

The first draft of the NRC for Assam was published on the intervening night of Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 in accordance with the top court's direction. Names of 1.9 crore people out of the 3.29 crore applicants were incorporated then.

Opinion
We’ve Borne The Burden Long Enough, Says Assam Finance Minister On NRC