The apex court directed that all tribunals functioning under the IMDT, which has been declared unconstitutional, would seize functioning with immediate effect.

The court, allowing the petition filed by AGP leader Sarbanand Sonawal, said all pending matters before the IMDT Tribunal would stand transfer to tribunals under the Foreigners Act.

Taking note of the huge influx of Bangladesh migrants into Assam, the court directed the state government to constitute sufficient number of tribunals under the Foreigners Act to deal with the situation effectively.

The previous AGP Government had initiated the process for repeal of the IMDT Act, 1983 but Tarun Gogoi Government overturned the policy decision and supported its continuance.

The previous NDA Government had also supported repeal of the ACT. (PTI)

Source : NDTV (site), Date: 12th July 2005