The Assam Foreigners Tribunal system has come under scrutiny after a member in Udalguri district was arrested over an alleged demand for a Rs 15,000 bribe in connection with a bail matter. Police said the allegation concerns a case pending before the tribunal.
The accused member has been identified as Bhupen Chandra Pegu. According to police, an FIR was registered after a complaint received on August 29, alleging that Pegu sought money from a person connected with a Foreigners Tribunal case. The complainant and the person whose case was pending have not been publicly identified.
Assam Foreigners Tribunal member faces bribery allegation
Police said Pegu had been serving as a member of the tribunal since 2018. The allegation centres on a demand for Rs 15,000 in connection with granting bail to a person whose matter was before the tribunal.
The police action followed information received about the alleged demand. An FIR was registered at Mazbat Police Station under Section 308(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which concerns extortion, and Section 7(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Police have not released details of the underlying Foreigners Tribunal case. Therefore, the circumstances surrounding the bail request and the identity of the person involved remain unclear.
What the Assam Foreigners Tribunal does
Foreigners Tribunals are quasi-judicial bodies that deal with questions about whether a person suspected of being an illegal immigrant is a foreigner. Their proceedings can have serious consequences for people whose citizenship status is under consideration.
The tribunals operate across Assam, where the system has around 100 functional tribunals, according to recent reports. They examine cases referred to them and issue opinions based on the material and evidence placed before them.
However, the present case does not concern the merits of any particular citizenship determination. Instead, the police investigation focuses on the alleged demand for money in relation to a bail matter.
Investigation follows complaint
The complaint that triggered the investigation was received on August 29, police said. Authorities subsequently registered the case against Pegu and arrested him.
According to police, Pegu was later produced before a local judge. The investigation will determine whether the allegations are supported by evidence and whether any further legal action is warranted.
An arrest and FIR do not establish guilt. The allegations against Pegu remain subject to investigation and the judicial process.
Assam Foreigners Tribunal case raises wider concerns
The arrest has also revived discussion about the functioning of Foreigners Tribunals. Former tribunal member Sishir Dey told Hindustan Times that allegations of attempts to influence tribunal proceedings had surfaced in the past, including during 2018-19.
Other legal voices have also raised questions about the functioning and selection of tribunal members. However, those views are separate from the police case against Pegu and do not establish any wrongdoing by other tribunal members.
Moreover, recent court proceedings show that Foreigners Tribunal decisions continue to face judicial scrutiny. In September 2026, the Gauhati High Court issued interim directions concerning the treatment of people declared foreign nationals by tribunals, while also directing an inquiry into a particular tribunal order.
What happens next in the Assam Foreigners Tribunal case
The immediate focus will remain on the criminal investigation into the alleged Rs 15,000 demand. Investigators will have to establish the circumstances of the complaint and determine whether the provisions cited in the FIR are supported by evidence.
Meanwhile, the broader functioning of the Assam Foreigners Tribunal system is likely to remain under public and legal attention because its proceedings can affect a person’s citizenship status and liberty.
For now, however, the bribery allegation against Pegu remains an allegation. Any determination of criminal liability will depend on the investigation and subsequent proceedings before the court.
