Jharkhand HC Reprimands State Over Improper Affidavits on Illegal Immigration

The Jharkhand High Court reprimanded the state government for not filing proper affidavits in response to a PIL alleging that illegal immigration from Bangladesh was affecting the social demography of the Santhal Pargana districts.

A division bench of Chief Justice Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi and Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad had previously ordered the deputy commissioners of Deoghar, Pakur, Dumka, Sahibganj, Godda, and Jamtara to submit reports on the actual status of illegal immigration in their respective districts. The court had also directed the SPs of the six Santhal Pargana districts to provide feedback to the DCs for their reports and instructed the state’s chief secretary to coordinate with the DCs in compiling the reports.

However, the court was informed that the affidavits were filed not by the DCs, but by subordinate officers. The bench refused to accept these affidavits and ordered them to be refiled properly.

The bench expressed its displeasure, stating that it was a very serious matter and the actions of the DCs appeared to be an attempt to mislead the court.

The PIL alleged that the social demography of the Santhal Pargana districts was being adversely affected by illegal immigration from Bangladesh, with these illegal immigrants marrying tribals to acquire land. On July 3, the court had ordered the state government to take immediate steps to push back illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.