Assam Foreigners Tribunal member arrested for extortion in Udalguri
Synopsis
A Foreigners Tribunal member in Assam's Udalguri has been arrested for allegedly extorting ₹15,000 from a person in a bail matter — putting a spotlight on potential corruption inside the quasi-judicial system that decides citizenship fates for thousands in the state.
Key Takeaways
Bhupen Chandra Pegu , a Foreigners Tribunal member in Udalguri, Assam , was arrested on 18 September 2026 for alleged extortion.
Pegu allegedly demanded ₹15,000 from a person in connection with bail proceedings before the tribunal.
An FIR was registered on 29 August at Mazbat Police Station following a formal complaint.
The accused has been booked under Section 308(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) , which deals with extortion.
Police have not disclosed the complainant's identity or confirmed whether others are under investigation.
A member of a Foreigners Tribunal in Assam's Udalguri district has been arrested for allegedly demanding ₹15,000 from an individual in exchange for facilitating bail in a citizenship-related case, police confirmed on Friday, 18 September 2026. The arrest has triggered fresh concerns about the integrity of quasi-judicial proceedings that determine the citizenship status of thousands of residents in the state.
The Arrest and Charges
The accused has been identified as Bhupen Chandra Pegu, a member of the Foreigners Tribunal operating in Udalguri. According to police, Pegu was taken into custody following an investigation into a complaint lodged at Mazbat Police Station. An FIR was registered on 29 August after the complainant alleged that Pegu had sought ₹15,000 in connection with bail proceedings before the tribunal.
Authorities have booked the accused under Section 308(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to extortion. Police have not disclosed the identity of the complainant, nor provided details about the specific tribunal case in which the alleged demand was made.
What Are Foreigners Tribunals
Foreigners Tribunals are quasi-judicial bodies established to examine cases involving individuals suspected of being foreign nationals. They adjudicate disputes over citizenship status — determining whether a person referred to them is an Indian citizen or a foreigner — based on documentary evidence and applicable legal provisions. In Assam, these tribunals occupy a particularly significant role given the state's long-running and contentious citizenship verification process.
The tribunals have the power to declare individuals as 'declared foreigners,' which can lead to detention. Their proceedings, therefore, carry enormous stakes for the individuals involved — many of whom belong to economically vulnerable communities.
Why This Case Has Raised Alarms
The alleged demand for money in the context of bail proceedings is especially troubling because it implicates the very mechanisms designed to protect due process. Critics argue that when financial misconduct infiltrates citizenship adjudication, it exposes vulnerable individuals to coercion at the most consequential junctures of their legal ordeal. The allegations against Pegu, however, remain subject to ongoing investigation and court proceedings.
Notably, this is not the first instance of scrutiny directed at administrative and legal processes surrounding Assam's citizenship determination framework. The state has faced repeated questions about the consistency and fairness of National Register of Citizens (NRC) and Foreigners Tribunal proceedings.
Status of Investigation
Police have not released details about the evidence gathered during the probe or indicated whether additional individuals are being questioned in connection with the case. Further information on court proceedings is awaited. The case is expected to draw attention from legal observers and civil society groups monitoring the integrity of citizenship-related adjudication in Assam.
Point of View
If proven, would confirm the worst fears of civil liberties groups who argue that vulnerable individuals are routinely preyed upon at their most defenceless moment. The BNS extortion charge is significant, but what the investigation has not yet answered is whether this was a lone actor or symptomatic of a wider pattern. Given that tribunal proceedings can result in detention, the stakes for systemic accountability could not be higher.
NationPress
18 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bhupen Chandra Pegu and why was he arrested?
Bhupen Chandra Pegu is a member of a Foreigners Tribunal in Assam's Udalguri district. He was arrested on 18 September 2026 for allegedly demanding ₹15,000 from a person in connection with bail proceedings before the tribunal, an act police have classified as extortion under Section 308(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
What is a Foreigners Tribunal in Assam?
A Foreigners Tribunal is a quasi-judicial body that determines whether an individual referred to it is an Indian citizen or a foreigner, based on documentary evidence and legal provisions. In Assam, these tribunals play a central role in the state's citizenship verification process and have the power to declare individuals as 'declared foreigners,' which can result in detention.
Under which law has the accused been charged?
Pegu has been booked under Section 308(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to extortion. The FIR was registered on 29 August at Mazbat Police Station in Udalguri following a formal complaint.
What impact could this case have on Assam's citizenship proceedings?
The case raises serious questions about the integrity of quasi-judicial proceedings that determine citizenship status. If proven, financial misconduct by a tribunal member could undermine public trust in the entire adjudication framework. Legal observers and civil society groups are expected to closely monitor how authorities respond.
Are there other individuals being investigated in connection with this case?
As of now, police have not confirmed whether additional individuals are being questioned or investigated in connection with the case. Details of evidence gathered and further court proceedings are still awaited.
