The Supreme Court of India on Thursday issued notices to top Assam government officials over an eviction drive in the Hasila Beel area of Goalpara district, which petitioners claim was carried out in violation of prior court directives and without adherence to legal procedure.
The court was hearing a petition filed by evicted families, supported by the Assam State Jamiat Ulama, which alleged that the eviction drive was conducted in contempt of the Supreme Court’s earlier rulings mandating due process and rehabilitation before displacing people.
The apex court issued notices to the Chief Secretary of Assam, the District Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of Goalpara, the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, and the local Circle Officer, directing them to explain the basis and legality of the eviction.
The petitioners argued that the eviction was arbitrary and violated their fundamental rights, including the right to shelter and due process under the law.
Appearing on behalf of the petitioners, Senior Advocate Sanjay Hegde contended that the eviction violated Supreme Court orders that prohibit displacements without rehabilitation. He was supported by a legal team comprising Adil Ahmad, Mohammad Samsad, Abdur Rezzak Bhuiya, Junaid Khalid, and Aminul Islam, who highlighted that no lawful notices or alternate resettlement plans were provided to the families.
The bench questioned how the eviction could proceed in light of previous judicial instructions and sought detailed explanations from the named officials.
The case has drawn considerable public attention in Assam, especially among communities impacted by similar evictions. Leaders from the Assam State Jamiat Ulama, including Working President Maulana Fazlul Karim Qasimi, General Secretary and MLA Hafiz Maulana Rafiqul Islam, MLA Mijanur Rahman, and Masum Khandakar were present during the hearing in solidarity with the displaced families.
The court has listed the matter for further hearing after receiving replies from the concerned state authorities.
