SC Directs Centre To Transfer Assam NRC Co-ordinator To Madhya Pradesh Cadre [Read Order]

(Updated)

The Supreme Court on Friday directed Assam NRC coordinator Prateek Hajela to be transferred inter-cadre to Madhya Pradesh immediately.

Even though the bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi refrained from revealing the reasons for the transfer, the apparent danger to Hajela's life after the publication of the final NRC is being mooted as the basis of the transfer order.

"Is there a particular reason for the transfer?", Attorney General K. K. Venugopal wanted to know.

"Can an order be without any basis?", responded the Chief Justice.

The bench, also comprising Justices S. A. Bobde and Rohinton Nariman, has required the appropriate government to notify the transfer within 7 days.

The order stated :

"Upon hearing Mr. Prateek Hajela, learned State Coordinator, the learned Attorney General and the learned Solicitor General and taking into account the totality of the facts of the case, we order for the inter-cadre transfer of Mr. Hajela to the State of Madhya Pradesh on deputation for the maximum period permissible under the relevant rules/regulations." 

The matter will be next listed on November 26. This means that CJI Gogoi, who had been monitoring the NRC process since 2016, will no longer be handling the case as he is retiring on November 17

Click here to download order

Read Order