In Brief
This case addresses the detention conditions and duration for persons identified as foreigners or convicted under the Foreigners Act, 1946 in detention centres, particularly in Assam. The Supreme Court identified that some detainees had been held for over 9 years pending deportation. The Court directed examination of living conditions in detention centres and whether long detention was justified. It questioned whether detention should be the primary or last resort option and whether alternatives exist. The matter was adjourned to allow the Union of India, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, and State of Assam to conduct inter-ministerial consultations and report findings to the Court on 13 March 2019."
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