Punjab Govt Moves Supreme Court Challenging Centre’s Decision To Extend BSF Jurisdiction

The Punjab Assembly had passed a resolution on November 12 asking Centre to withdraw its October 11 order to extend the jurisdiction of the Border Security Force from 15 kilometres to 50 kilometres.

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New Delhi: The Punjab Government has moved to the Supreme Court against the Centre’s recent notification to extend the jurisdiction of the Border Security Force from 15 kilometres to 50 kilometres, reported ANI. The Punjab Assembly had passed a resolution on November 12 asking the Centre to withdraw its October 11 order. 

The Union Government had recently amended the BSF Act authorising the Border Security Force to undertake search, seizure and arrest within a stretch of 50 kilometres, which was earlier 15 kilometres, from the international border in Punjab, West Bengal and Assam. 

The suit was listed before the Registrar on Friday after which the notice was issued to the Centre. The matter is scheduled to come up before a top court Bench after four weeks. 

Punjab Congress chief, Navjot Singh Sidhu congratulated the Punjab government for taking the first move and challenged Centre’s notification regarding extension of BSF jurisdiction in Supreme Court. In a tweet, Siddhu wrote “I congratulate Punjab and it’s legal team to be the 1st to approach the Hon’ble Supreme Court by filing an original suit challenging the notification extending the BSF jurisdiction.” 

The Punjab Congress chief further wrote, “The fight to retain the principles embodied in the constitution i.e. to retain the federal structure and autonomy of the states has begun … Notice issued to the centre to respond.”

I congratulate Punjab and it’s legal team to be the 1st to approach the Hon’ble Supreme Court by filing an original suit challenging the notification extending the BSF jurisdiction.

— Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) December 11, 2021

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also been opposing the order. Recently the Chief Minister asked the state police not to allow the BSF to enter the villages outside its jurisdiction of 15 kilometres. 

West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar today alleged that this statement of Mamata Banerjee “can create problems between the local police and the paramilitary force,” reported ANI.