The Gauhati High Court has nominated Justice K.R. Surana to preside over the Special Bench constituted to monitor and oversee the functioning of Foreigners’ Tribunals in Assam. The appointment comes under a fresh notification issued by the High Court, superseding an earlier order dated October 25, 2019.
The move is in line with directions issued by the Supreme Court in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 562/2012, which mandates ongoing judicial oversight of the tribunals dealing with matters of citizenship and illegal migration in Assam.
According to the latest notification from the High Court Registry, Justice K.R. Surana, a sitting judge of the Gauhati High Court, has been officially nominated by the Chief Justice to take charge of the Special Bench. The bench will continue to play a crucial role in ensuring transparency, legal compliance, and procedural efficiency in the functioning of Foreigners’ Tribunals across the state.
Foreigners’ Tribunals are quasi-judicial bodies tasked with adjudicating the citizenship status of individuals suspected of being illegal immigrants under the Foreigners Act, 1946. Assam currently has over 100 such tribunals operating across various districts.
The oversight mechanism, established under the supervision of the High Court, is intended to address legal and administrative challenges, safeguard individual rights, and ensure that the tribunals operate within the constitutional framework.
