FOREIGNERS’ TRIBUNAL

Why in News?                                                                                                        

The Assam government has planned to conduct a special course for judges of the Foreigners’ Tribunals (FT) in the state after an affidavit was filed before the Guwahati High Court by the state Home Department.

What is Foreigners Tribunal?

• Foreigners’ Tribunals are quasi-judicial bodies established as per the Foreigners’ Tribunal Order, 1964 and the Foreigners’ Act, 1946.
• Under the provisions of Foreigners’ Act, 1946 and Foreigners Tribunal Order, 1964, only Foreigner Tribunals have the right to declare a person as a
• enable state administration (District Collector/superintendents of police (SPs) to refer to a person suspected of being a foreigner
• It is functioning only in the state of Assam presently.
• Powers –
• The Tribunal shall have the powers of a civil court while trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
• The Tribunal can summon and ask for the attendance of any person and examine him/her on oath.
• The Tribunal can ask anyone to produce the required documents,
• The Tribunal can commission examining any witness, as and when required
• 2019 Amendment to The (Foreigners Tribunals) Order, 1964.
• District Magistrates have the authority to establish Foreigners Tribunals in their respective area of operation to determine the legality of a person’s citizenship status.
• An individual can now in their own capacity can file an appeal in FTs to prove their citizenship if left out of NRC (Assam)