NEW DELHI, April 1 - The Supreme Court on Monday threatened to issue a non-bailable warrant against Assam Chief Secretary Aloke Kumar to ensure his presence in the court, directing that he shall not be allowed to return to the State till the court so permits.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi, however, refrained from passing the order after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the court that the Chief Secretary will be present for the next hearing on April 8. The Supreme Court was hearing a case relating to the detention centres in Assam.
In its order, the bench, also comprising Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna, said that the Solicitor General undertook that the Chief Secretary of Assam would be personally present in the court on the next date fixed for hearing and would remain present in the court until required. �On this undertaking, we refrain from passing any coercive order,� the bench order said.
The case relates to the living conditions of foreigners in Assam detention centres. The Supreme Court decided to look into the matter, particularly the issues relating to the living conditions and the long periods for which foreigners are detained in the centres.
Today, CJI Gogoi asked the Solicitor General for details about foreigners who have merged with the local population. �We want to know what you are doing to improve the conditions in detention centres. How long will you take to deport them? What is your government planning to do to trace those people who have merged with the local population?� CJI Gogoi asked.
