SC seeks re-verification of 10% included in NRC

The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought to know if sample re-verification of 10% of people who were included in the final draft National Register of Citizens (NRC) could be done to "satisfy" itself of the huge exercise undertaken in Assam.

A bench of justices Ranjan Gogoi and R F Nariman also asked NRC coordinator Prateek Hajela to submit a comprehensive report indicating the feasibility as well as the time to be taken in the process, if those not included are allowed to change their legacy. The court also deferred the date of commencement of filing claims by those left out, from August 30 to a future date.

Examining the Union government's standard operating procedure to decide claims and objections of about 40 lakh people left out in the process, the court asked if allowing the claimant to change legacy would upset the apple cart as his/her family tree would also be disturbed.

Attorney General K K Venugopal said that those excluded should be allowed to change their legacy, otherwise they will lose all rights, including jobs and land holdings. “This is a human problem of high magnitude,” the bench concurred.

The court asked Hajela to give a report in this regard before September 5, the next date of hearing.

“We are of the view that ramifications of this proposed change should be addressed by Hajela who had carried out the entire exercise in the field. We, therefore, request Hajela to submit a comprehensive report indicating the feasibility, including the time taken and the advantages/disadvantages that may accrue, if the aforesaid modification/change of legacy is permitted,” the bench said.

The court also asked Hajela to submit a report on sample re-verification and the possible time frame within which it can begin and get completed.