HC seeks Centre, Telangana’s stand on plea seeking deportation of illegal immigrants in Hyd

Hyderabad: The Telangana high court on Tuesday asked the Union and state govts to clarify their stance on a petition seeking deportation of illegal immigrants. The plea seeks directions for the state govt to identify, verify and deport all illegal Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas residing in Telangana.Justice EV Venugopal, hearing the petition filed by Karuna Sagar, a city-based advocate, also questioned why the Union govt had not been made a party to the petition. The court directed that the Union govt also be made a party and posted the matter for further hearing on March 3.The petitioner claimed that a large number of Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas had illegally entered the state and fraudulently obtained Aadhaar cards, ration cards and voter identity cards. Using these documents, they were allegedly availing themselves of state govt welfare schemes.The petitioner further alleged that over 7,000 illegal immigrants were residing in 26 settlements in Balapur alone, and that the police had failed to act despite multiple representations.Senior counsel L Ravi Chander, appearing for the petitioner, informed the court that a recent petition seeking permission to hold a ‘Dharma Raksha Sabha' at Balapur was opposed by the home department. The department informed the high court that permission was denied owing to potential law and order issues and the presence of a large number of Rohingyas in the area.He added that, having already acknowledged the presence of illegal immigrants, the state ought to have taken suo motu action. However, no action was taken even after the petitioner submitted multiple representations. He urged the court to issue directions to the state, stating that illegal immigrants posed a serious threat to internal security, public order and effective law enforcement.The judge sought the Union govt's stand in the matter, directed that it be made a party to the petition, and adjourned the hearing.