BHANU JAI RABHA vs UNION OF INDIA

The Supreme Court interpreted Clause 3(3) of the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issues of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003, which pertains to the identification of 'originally inhabitants of the State of Assam' for inclusion in the National Register of Citizens (NRC). The Court held that this clause allows for a less stringent process for identifying eligible persons compared to Clause 3(2), thereby establishing that the identification process for originally inhabitants is an exception to the general rules. The Court emphasized that the identification does not automatically confer entitlement but is subject to verification of citizenship beyond reasonable doubt.