Supreme Court gives 60 day window for 40 lakh people in Assam for filing claims related to the National Register of Citizens, lists 10 documents for the purpose

The Supreme Court, on Wednesday (September 19), ordered resumption of filing of claims and objections by around 40 lakh people of Assam who were left out in the draft National Register of Citizens.

A bench comprising Justices Ranjan Gogoi and Rohinton Fali Nariman said that the process of receiving claims and objections by the people who have been left out of the NRC will commence on September 25 and remain open for the next 60 days.

“We are of the view that all that which we are required to do at this stage is to open the filing of claims and objections with regard to inclusion in the draft NRC published in July this year,” the bench said. It made clear that the second opportunity has been granted to the citizens keeping in mind the “magnitude” of the issue.

The Supreme Court bench, which has now posted the matter for hearing on October 23, has sought the view of Prateek Hajela, coordinator of the Assam NRC, on stance of the central government with regard to applicability and non-applicability of certain documents for inclusion of names in the NRC.

The bench has approved a list of 10 documents that those excluded from the July draft of the NRC can use for filing their claims and objections. These documents are as follows:

1. Land documents like Registered Sale Deed, Records of land rights up to March 24, 1971 (midnight)

2. Permanent Residential Certificate issued from outside the State up to March 24, 1971 (midnight)

3. Passport issued by the Government of India up to March 24, 1971 (midnight)

4. Life Insurance Corporation of India Insurance Policy (LICI) of relevant period up to March 24, 1971 (midnight)

5. Any licence/certificate issued by any government authority of relevant period i.e. up to March 24, 1971 (midnight)

6. Document showing service/employment under Government/Public Sector undertaking up to March 24, 1971 (midnight)

7. Bank/Post Office Accounts of relevant period i.e. up to March 24, 1971 (midnight)

8. Birth certificates issued by the competent authority up to March 24, 1971 (midnight)

9. Educational certificate issued by Board/Universities up to March 24, 1971 (midnight)

10. Records/processes pertaining to court up to March 24, 1971 (midnight) provided they are part of a processing in a judicial or revenue court

The court will next hear the case on October 23.

— India Legal Bureau, with inputs from agencies