MHA Extends Tenure of 64 Foreigners Tribunals in Assam Till May 2026

Staff Reporter

Guwahati: In a bid to clear pending cases, the Government of India's Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has extended the terms of 64 additional Foreigners Tribunals (FTs) in Assam for another year, effective until May 2026.

The terms have been extended due to a multitude of cases pending before the FTs.

FTs come under the purview of the MHA, and all expenditure related to the tribunals is borne by the Centre. This necessitates the approval of MHA for the extension of the FTs' tenure.

It is to be mentioned that, there are 100 FTs in the state, of which 36 are permanent and the remaining 64 are additional FTs. In 2015, following a direction by the Gauhati High Court, the additional 64 FTs were set up for speedy disposal of cases related to ascertaining the nationality of doubtful foreigners. Initially, the MHA had deliberated a term of 2 years for the 64 additional FTs. Subsequently, the term of the additional FTs was extended in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2024. In the last extension in 2024, a term of one year was allowed for the FTs.

Earlier, the state Home & Political department had written to the MHA seeking a further extension of the term of the 64 FTs. Subsequently, the MHA approved the term extension of the 64 FTs for another year, i.e., until May 2026.

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