09-29-2005, 06:08 AM
Pioneer
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Name officers who issued cards to aliens: HC </b>
Abraham Thomas / New Delhi
* Says EC must drop Bangladeshis from roll ,* Raps officials on issue of ration cards ----- Questioning the Centre's seriousness on the deportation of Bangladeshi migrants from the Capital, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the Delhi Government to submit a list of officials who issued ration cards to these foreign nationals, and also explain under what circumstances.
Advising the Centre to be proactive on the issue of eviction of Bangladeshis, the Division Bench of Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Rekha Sharma suggested to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to evolve a methodology in four weeks that ensured they did not vote in any elections.
Hearing a public-interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Chetan Dutt, who sought identification and deportation of Bangladeshis from the Capital, the court directed the Centre to open monitoring cells to detect Bangladesh nationals staying illegally in the states of Assam, West Bengal, Tripura, Mizoram and Meghalaya.
The Centre had earlier submitted an action plan in May 2002 to detect Bangladeshi migrants. It also filed a revised plan, wherein no targets were stated to be achieved. The court allowed the new plan with certain modifications, while advising caution that no inaction would be tolerated in the future.
The court, unhappy over the complacent attitude of ECI, observed, "The very basis of election process is vitiated if voters, who are not eligible, are enrolled in the electoral rolls. Not only does it adversely affect the sanctity of the electoral rolls, but also pollutes the process of holding free and fair elections."
The court also did not spare the Delhi administration. Expressing displeasure over the affidavit filed by the State, the court stated that the averments in the petition were contradictory on many counts. The court took serious note of the Food and Civil Supplies Department's effort to protect its officers who were guilty of issuing ration cards to illegal Bangladeshis.
The Delhi Government, citing provisions under the law, indicated that its officers were protected from any prosecution, and that the officers concerned had given ration cards in "good faith" and not to bestow any favour to a migrant. The court questioned the counsel appearing for the State on how a conclusion could be reached on the officer's innocence without inquiring into the matter.
"The Delhi Government will provide list of these officers with complete details as to who recommended these names so that appropriate orders could be passed against the officers," the court added.
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<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Name officers who issued cards to aliens: HC </b>
Abraham Thomas / New Delhi
* Says EC must drop Bangladeshis from roll ,* Raps officials on issue of ration cards ----- Questioning the Centre's seriousness on the deportation of Bangladeshi migrants from the Capital, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the Delhi Government to submit a list of officials who issued ration cards to these foreign nationals, and also explain under what circumstances.
Advising the Centre to be proactive on the issue of eviction of Bangladeshis, the Division Bench of Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Rekha Sharma suggested to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to evolve a methodology in four weeks that ensured they did not vote in any elections.
Hearing a public-interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Chetan Dutt, who sought identification and deportation of Bangladeshis from the Capital, the court directed the Centre to open monitoring cells to detect Bangladesh nationals staying illegally in the states of Assam, West Bengal, Tripura, Mizoram and Meghalaya.
The Centre had earlier submitted an action plan in May 2002 to detect Bangladeshi migrants. It also filed a revised plan, wherein no targets were stated to be achieved. The court allowed the new plan with certain modifications, while advising caution that no inaction would be tolerated in the future.
The court, unhappy over the complacent attitude of ECI, observed, "The very basis of election process is vitiated if voters, who are not eligible, are enrolled in the electoral rolls. Not only does it adversely affect the sanctity of the electoral rolls, but also pollutes the process of holding free and fair elections."
The court also did not spare the Delhi administration. Expressing displeasure over the affidavit filed by the State, the court stated that the averments in the petition were contradictory on many counts. The court took serious note of the Food and Civil Supplies Department's effort to protect its officers who were guilty of issuing ration cards to illegal Bangladeshis.
The Delhi Government, citing provisions under the law, indicated that its officers were protected from any prosecution, and that the officers concerned had given ration cards in "good faith" and not to bestow any favour to a migrant. The court questioned the counsel appearing for the State on how a conclusion could be reached on the officer's innocence without inquiring into the matter.
"The Delhi Government will provide list of these officers with complete details as to who recommended these names so that appropriate orders could be passed against the officers," the court added.
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