“You are officers of the court, whatever you say reflects on us”, Supreme Court rebukes Assam NRC Co-ordinator

The case relating to the National Register of Citizens (NRC) was slated to be heard on August 16. However, when the matter was listed for today, it came as a surprise to many..But the first twenty seconds in today’s hearing made it clear as to why the case was taken up earlier than the designated date..As soon as the Bench of Justices Ranjan Gogoi and Rohinton Fali Nariman took their seats, Justice Gogoi made it clear as to why the case was listed:.“This is only between this Court and Mr. Hajela”, said Justice Gogoi and handed over some newspaper reports to Prateek Hajela who is the State Coordinator for National Registration of Citizens..“What is this”, asked Justice Gogoi..“Newspaper cutting”, replied Hajela..“What have you said. You have told the press that people left out in the final draft of NRC will get an opportunity to provide fresh sets of documents to present their credentials. You have told that at the time of claims and objections, things will start afresh again and fresh documents can be submitted…Who are you to say this? Who gave you the authority to say this? You are an officer appointed by the Court. Why did you go to the press like this”, Justice Nariman asked..Justice Gogoi was also equally agitated..“Court-appointed officers are telling the press that during claims and objections any document may be considered.”.The Court also rebuked Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, Sailesh for his statements to the press..“We should be holding both of you guilty of contempt and sending both of you to jail”, said Justice Gogoi..“You are officers appointed by this Court. Whatever you say reflects on us”, remarked Nariman J..The Bench also stated that it would have taken a more stern view but for the fact that a lot of work is remaining to be done..The Court then passed an order noting the reason for convening today’s hearing..“The hearing today has been convened suo motu, this Court being disturbed by certain statements made by Shri Prateek Hajela, State Coordinator for National Registration (NRC) as well as Shri Sailesh, Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, which appeared in a section of the Press.”.It observed that such statements are highly improper and touch upon matters which should have formed the subject matter of Court’s orders to be passed after submission of the standard operating procedure by the Union of India..The Court noted that it could have taken a sterner view of the matter but considering the fact that the case is in a stage where the process for publication of the final NRC is to be initiated and completed, it will refrain from taking a stern course of action..It, therefore, asked them to be “cautious in future” and devote their time and attention to the preparation of draft NRC..The Court also directed them not to make any statement or undertake any step with regard to the preparation of the final NRC without seeking appropriate orders/directions from the Court..During the previous hearing, the Court had noted that the NRC prepared by the government is only a draft and cannot be the basis for action by any authority..“In this regard, the Court would like to observe that what has been published is only the Complete Draft NRC which naturally being a draft cannot be the basis of any action by any authority”, it had said. .Read the order below.