Advocate Colin Gonsalves stated on Friday that the central government had already deported a group of Rohingya Muslims on May 8. He alleged that the deportees were handcuffed, sent to the Andaman Islands, given life jackets, and then “pushed towards Myanmar.” The Supreme Court criticized petitioners for repeatedly filing Public Interest Litigations (PILs) aimed at halting the deportation of Rohingya Muslims. The court informed Gonsalves that “PILs after PILs cannot be filed” on the same issue unless new evidence supports the petitions.
Earlier this month, a three-judge bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta, and N Kotiswar Singh, declined to grant an interim stay on the proposed deportation, affirming that Rohingyas are not Indian citizens and, therefore, lack residency rights in the country. The petitions were presented by Gonsalves and advocate Prashant Bhushan.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta pointed out that India is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention and questioned the legitimacy of the UNHCR’s refugee status for Rohingyas. These individuals, fleeing severe threats to their lives from the military in Myanmar, have sought refuge in other countries.
Gonsalves reported that the deportees managed to contact fishermen upon reaching Myanmar to request assistance in alerting their relatives in Delhi, whom they informed about the threats they faced. Justices Singh and Kant inquired whether these claims could be verified. “In the current situation, fanciful PILs like this cannot be entertained. There is no material to substantiate the vague and sweeping allegations in the petition. Without credible prima facie evidence, issuing an interim order contradicting the May 8 decision by the three-judge bench is challenging,” they asserted.
Gonsalves cited a Supreme Court ruling regarding the protection of Chakma refugees to advocate for similar relief for the Rohingyas. He also referenced a UN report and a ruling from the International Court of Justice, emphasizing that Rohingyas are refugees, not migrants, and have a right to life protection as mandated by the UN.
Original Source: https://www.firstpost.com/india/fanciful-pils-supreme-court-lashes-out-at-frivolous-petitions-to-block-rohingya-deportation-13889227.html
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Publish Date: 2025-05-17 11:59:00
