FUJERA KHATOON Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr. A Mobaraque, learned counsel for the petitioner. Also heard Mr. M.R. Adhikari, learned CGC; Mr. G. Sarma, learned standing counsel for the FT matter and NRC; Mr. M. Kalita, learned counsel appearing on behalf of Ms. P. Barua, learned standing counsel for the ECI; and Mr. P. Sarmah, learned Additional Senior Government Advocate for the State.

(2.) By filing this writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, the petitioner, namely, Fujera Khatoon @ Jahura Khatoon, has assailed the opinion dt. 28/6/2019, passed by the learned Member, Foreigner's Tribunal, Nagaon (4th) at Juria, in FT Case No. 344/15, arising out of Police Reference 'D' Case No. 1100/98, thereby declaring the petitioner to be a foreigner, who has entered into the territory of India (Assam) after 25/3/1971.

(3.) In order to assail the impugned opinion dtd. 28/6/2019, this writ petition has filed on 30/6/2025, i.e. about 6 years later. Therefore, by an order dtd. 21/7/2025, the Court had granted the learned counsel for the petitioner some time to address the Court on the maintainability of the writ petition on the ground of unexplained delay and laches to assail the said opinion. Accordingly, the matter was heard on the said preliminary point.