by CJP Team

A heart-breaking story of injustice has emerged from Assam, where Sabaruddin Ali, a resident of Barbakhra village, was falsely accused of being a foreigner. Despite his unwavering efforts to prove his Indian citizenship, and the eventual victory in court, Sabaruddin passed away before he could receive the judgment that would have cleared his name. His death, just days before the verdict was delivered, has left behind a grieving family and a community devastated by his loss.

Sabaruddin’s ordeal began on February 18, 2022, when a notice was issued to him by the Foreigners’ Tribunal. As per the arguments raised by Sabaruddin, the whole case against him was false, and the investigation was conducted by a negligent Investigation Officer (IO) who submitted a false inquiry report, labelling him a suspected foreigner without following the required procedure. In reality, the IO neither visited Sabaruddin’s residence nor interviewed the supposed witnesses, choosing instead to fabricate statements. This blatant disregard for due process threw Sabaruddin and his family into a long and agonizing legal battle.

Every week, CJP’s dedicated team in Assam, comprising community volunteers, district volunteer motivators, and lawyers, provides vital paralegal support, counseling, and legal aid to many affected by the citizenship crisis in over 24 districts in Assam.  Through our hands-on approach, 12,00,000 people successfully submitted completed NRC forms (2017-2019). We fight Foreigner Tribunal cases monthly at the district level.  Through these concerted efforts, we have achieved an impressive success rate of 20 cases annually, with individuals successfully obtaining their Indian citizenship. This ground level data ensures informed interventions by CJP in our Constitutional Courts. Your support fuels this crucial work. Stand with us for Equal Rights for All #HelpCJPHelpAssam. Donate NOW!

With the help of Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), Sabaruddin remained determined to prove his Indian citizenship. His legal team, led by Advocates Dewan Abdur Rahim and Johirul Islam, gathered essential documents, including Land Jamabandi records that established his family’s long-standing roots in Assam. These records connected him to his father, grandfather, and other relatives, with evidence of his family’s ownership of land dating back generations. The Assam government’s recognition of the Deshi community, to which Sabaruddin belonged, further reinforced his claim as a native of the state.

After years of legal wrangling, the Foreigners Tribunal (FT) finally ruled in Sabaruddin’s favour, declaring him an Indian citizen. However, the ruling came too late. On July 29, 2024, Sabaruddin tragically passed away before he could hold the judgment letter in his hands.

This story was originally published in cjp.org.in. Read the full story here.