NEW DELHI: Calling illegal migrants “parasites” that drain the country’s economy, a trial court has directed Delhi government to identify and deport all foreigners living illegally in the capital. “The chief secretary is asked to identify the foreigners living in Delhi illegally and ensure that they are sent back to their respective countries as early as possible,” additional sessions judge Rajender Kumar Shastri said while asking for a quarterly report from the government “till the last identified illegal migrant is expelled”.

The court’s directions came while sentencing four Bangladeshi nationals — all illegal migrants — to 13 years in jail for carrying out robbery in south Delhi. Taking serious note of the offence, the court said that such illegal migrants are responsible for draining “already dwindling natural resources of the country”. “If the illegal migrants from neighbouring countries are counted together, they may form a population equal to a country of moderate size…They deprive local residents from their meager incomes by pumping in cheap labour,” he said.

Even as the convicts showed their election I-cards to prove they were Indian citizens, the court rejected it saying the election I-card is not a proof of citizenship. The court also directed that a copy of the order be sent to chief secretary, Union of India, “who may proceed to frame a National Policy on how we can tackle... illegal migration from neighbouring countries”.

On the issue of whether the court has the power to give such directions to the government as the Indian law thrives on separation of power, judge Shastri said, “While deciding case in hands, the accused are found foreigners, illegally residing in India. In these circumstances, mejudice, if this court directs deportation of these guilty foreigners along with other aliens, same will not amount to poking its nose in other’s affairs.”

The court also directed the Delhi commissioner of Police and the Director of FRRO to ensure that the convicts in the case are repatriated to their country after they serve the sentence handed down to them by the court.

