Barbakhra, Assam: In a tragic turn of events, Sabaruddin Ali, a resident of Barbakhra village, was posthumously declared an Indian citizen by a Foreigners Tribunal after passing away just days before the verdict was announced.
Ali’s legal troubles began on February 18, 2022, when he was issued a notice by the Foreigners Tribunal, falsely accusing him of being a foreigner. Despite gathering essential documents, including land records linking his family’s roots to multiple generations in Assam, the case dragged on for over two years.
After relentless efforts from his legal team and assistance from Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), the tribunal eventually ruled in Ali’s favour, affirming his citizenship. However, Ali succumbed to a sudden illness on July 29, 2024, missing the chance to witness the verdict.
On October 17, 2024, CJP representatives visited Ali’s home to deliver the court’s judgment. His widow, now responsible for raising their two sons aged 11 and 9, expressed mixed emotions – grief for her husband and a bittersweet relief in finally receiving official confirmation of his citizenship.
Ali’s family, already struggling with emotional and financial difficulties, now survives by selling betel nuts and vegetables to make ends meet. The case underscores the immense challenges faced by many families in Assam, who endure long legal battles to prove their rightful citizenship.
