In a resounding victory for justice and dignity that restores both legal identity and human dignity, Matleb Ali — a native of Assam’s Dhubri district — has finally been declared an Indian citizen by the 10th Foreigners Tribunal, Dhubri, on December 9, 2024, ending a long battle of asserting his Indian identity that began with a mere suspicion in 1998.
With this declaration, Matleb has cleared his name of the “foreigner” tag — a stigma that haunted him for decades despite overwhelming documentary evidence of his Indian lineage. Matleb’s struggle came to an end when the Foreigners Tribunal in Assam formally declared him an Indian on May 17, 2025 — a moment made possible by the unwavering support of Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP).
Matleb Ali stands outside his home holding the order passed by the Foreigners Tribunal (Dhubri)
This is more than just a legal victory — it’s a testament to resilience, community solidarity, and the courage to stand up against a system that too often fails the most vulnerable.
Every week, CJP’s dedicated team in Assam, comprising community volunteers, district volunteer motivators, and lawyers, provides vital paralegal support, counseling, and legal aid to many affected by the citizenship crisis in over 24 districts in Assam. Through our hands-on approach, 12,00,000 people successfully submitted completed NRC forms (2017-2019). We fight Foreigner Tribunal cases monthly at the district level. Through these concerted efforts, we have achieved an impressive success rate of 20 cases annually, with individuals successfully obtaining their Indian citizenship. This ground level data ensures informed interventions by CJP in our Constitutional Courts. Your support fuels this crucial work. Stand with us for Equal Rights for All #HelpCJPHelpAssam. Donate NOW!
The Origin of the Case: A 1998 reference
Matleb Ali, also recorded in official documents as Matleb Ali or Motleb Ali, was born in 1981 in the remote village of Ramraikuti Part I in Assam’s Dhubri district, about 251 kilometres from Guwahati. The village, perched on India’s border with Bangladesh, has long been home to his family — generation after generation.
He completed his matriculation from Agomani Higher Secondary School, an institution established shortly after India’s independence. His father, Kasem Ali, was a lifelong resident of Ramraikuti, owning land there as early as 1962. His grandparents, Sonaullah Sk and Kosimon Bewa, were registered voters in the 1966 electoral rolls — clear, continuous proof of Indian lineage.
Yet in 1998, the unthinkable happened: a reference was made against Matleb, branding him a suspected foreigner. Despite having all the required documents, he was forced into a legal battle to prove his very identity — a fate shared by thousands of marginalized residents in Assam, particularly those living near the border.
The ordeal began when the Superintendent of Police (Border), Dhubri, acting on a report from the Electoral Registration Officer of the 25 No. Golakganj Legislative Assembly Constituency, filed a reference case against Matleb Ali. His name was listed in the 1997 draft electoral roll for his village Ramraikuti Part-I, but doubts were raised about his citizenship during house-to-house enumeration (Jan–Apr 1997). The matter was first referred to the IM(D)T Tribunal, later transferred to Foreigners Tribunal No. 2, and finally to the 10th Foreigners Tribunal.
Despite being born and raised in India, Matleb was forced to prove he wasn’t an illegal migrant — a fate that disproportionately affects many poor, marginalised people in Assam, particularly in border districts like Dhubri.
Eid turned to despair
In mid-2023, just a day before Eid, Matleb’s world turned upside down. While he was working in Guwahati to earn enough to celebrate the festival with his family — his wife, two children, and elderly mother — police officers in plain clothes came to his home in Ramraikuti and handed a notice to his wife. The document summoned him before the Foreigners Tribunal.
His young daughter handed over the notice when he returned home. The joy of Eid evaporated as the devastating contents of the letter became clear. “It was as if all the light had gone out of our lives,” his wife later recalled while speaking to CJP Assam team.
Matleb knew the road ahead would be difficult. Fighting a tribunal case required time, money, and legal knowledge — resources he did not have. If he chased documents and attended hearings, his family would go hungry. If he chose to work, he would miss court dates and lose the case.
CJP steps in, hope rekindled
In desperation, Matleb turned to a trusted neighbour, who introduced him to Moon Kazi, a community volunteer with Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP). From that moment on, the tide began to turn.
CJP’s District Volunteer Motivator (DVM) for Dhubri, Habibul Bepari, quickly visited the family. After reviewing the documents, he escalated the case to Nanda Ghosh, CJP’s Assam State In-charge, and Advocate Ishkander Azad, a member of CJP’s legal team in the district.
CJP Assam Team outside the Foreigners Tribunal Court in Dhubri
The family, mentally and emotionally exhausted, found renewed hope. “Without CJP, I could never have fought this alone,” said Matleb, his voice filled with emotion after receiving the order declaring his citizenship.
CJP took over the case with full dedication — collecting documents, filing applications, visiting government offices, and providing legal representation. This allowed Matleb to remain home and earn a living while the organization fought the case on his behalf.
Documents provided in the Tribunal to establish Matleb’s identity and lineage
The following documents were provided to the Tribunal in order to establish the Indian identity of Matleb:
- HSLC Admit Card (Ext-A) – Verified as genuine by SEBA, establishing both his date of birth and parentage.
- School Certificate (Ext-B) – Issued by Agomani School, confirming his education and village of residence.
- Copy of shifting certificate issued by the Secretary, Satrasal Gaon Panchayat
His family tree was also established:
- Grandparents: Sonaullah Sk and Kosimon Bewa — Voter records from 1966, 1970, 1977, and 1985 show them living in Ramraikuti.
- Father: Kasem Ali — Listed as a voter in 1977.
- Mother: Moslema Bewa — Listed as a voter from 1979 onward, including with Matleb in the 1997 and 2008 rolls.
In addition to electoral records, land deeds were also provided:
- Matleb’s father owned land since 1962, as per Khatian No. 64 (Ext-E), backed by the original land records and verified through the Land Records Officer’s testimony (DW-3).
- Matleb himself co-owns land with his family in Ramraikuti, as shown by Periodic Kheraj Patta (Ext-M).
Additionally, Matleb’s own name consistently appears in voter rolls from 1997, 2008, and 2023, and he holds an Elector Photo Identity Card (Ext-L) issued in 2013.
The Legal Proceedings: Evidence vs suspicion
When the matter finally came before the tribunal, Advocate Ishkander Azad presented a compelling argument. He highlighted Matleb’s strong documentary evidence — including voter records of three generations, land documents, and school certificates. Azad also emphasized the hardship Matleb faced in commuting from distant work locations just to attend hearings, often at great financial and emotional cost.
Notably, the Referral Authority presented no witnesses or documentary evidence. In contrast, Matleb submitted:
- 13 documents (Exts A to M), including educational records, land documents, and voter lists from 1966 to 2023.
- Oral evidence from:
- Himself (DW-1)
- His mother, Moslema Bewa (DW-2), who fully corroborated his statements
- A Land Records official (DW-3), who authenticated historical land ownership
The tribunal accepted the entire chain of documentary and oral evidence as genuine and trustworthy.
The Order: “He is Indian”!
After considering the evidence, Tribunal Member Rafiqul Islam delivered a clear verdict:
“From the evidence on record and finding no rebuttal evidence, there is no reason to disbelieve the testimony of the opposite party and documents exhibited by the opposite party in support of his testimony… Moreover, though the State cross examined both DW-1 and DW-2, the State could not demolish the evidences that grandparents of opposite party were not citizens of India and therefore the opposite party cannot be termed as a foreigner as suspected by the referral authority.” (Para 11)
He ordered that:
- The lineage from Indian grandparents, consistent voter records, land ownership, and educational credentials are sufficient to establish citizenship.
- There was no rebuttal evidence from the state to challenge the authenticity of any claims or documents.
- Matleb was born in India to Indian parents residing in Assam, and therefore qualifies as a citizen of India by birth under Indian law.
The tribunal answered the reference in the negative, officially declaring Matleb Ali not a foreigner.
A mother’s blessing, a daughter’s celebration
The order came just days after another joyful event in the family: Matleb’s daughter passed her matriculation examination. It was a moment of double celebration in the Ali household.
His mother, Moslema Bewa, broke down in tears of relief and gratitude. She showered blessings on the CJP team:
“Allah tomak bhalé rakhuk, āro jāté mānsher sahāy korbār pān! (May Allah keep you safe and grant you the strength to help many more!)”
She insisted the team stay for a meal, a simple but heartfelt gesture from a family who had just come out of darkness into light. Now, her son stood vindicated — not a foreigner, but a citizen, a father, and a man free to dream again.
Matleb’s story is not an exception — it is a window into the lives of countless Indians caught in the storm of suspicion and statelessness. His case underscores how easily the poor can be branded as outsiders in their own land — and how community-led legal action can restore rights, dignity, and hope.
CJP Team Assam with Matleb Ali, outside his home
Thanks to the determined efforts of CJP, Matleb Ali’s name has been cleared. He is no longer just a “case” — he is a citizen of India.
The complete order may be read below.
Related:
From Detention to Deportation: The mass deportations and detention crisis at Assam’s Matia centre
Restoring Citizenship, Rebuilding Lives: CJP continues its journey in Assam