They are quasi-judicial bodies set up under the Foreigners act, 1946 to determine whether a person is a foreigner, particularly in Assam.
Foreigners act, 1946, empowers the Central Government to detect and deport illegal foreigners. Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, 1964, allows State governments to set up Foreigners Tribunals, initially for Assam due to illegal migration from Bangladesh.
After the Supreme Court-monitored NRC update (2019), 19 lakh+ people were excluded from the final NRC list and were told to appeal before Foreigners Tribunals.
The Tribunal is composed of retired judicial officers, lawyers or civil servants. It functions like a civil court but follows simplified procedures. Issues opinions determining whether a person is an Indian citizen or a foreigner. It can summon evidence, witnesses etc.
Challenges:
1.Critics argue that many are declared foreigners without adequate legal support
2.Burden of proof lies on the accused person
3.Questions raised about the competence and impartiality of some tribunal members
4.Large backlog of cases; inadequate number of tribunals
5.Declaring someone a foreigner doesn’t automatically ensure deportation.
