SC agrees to examine validity of notification expanding BSF’s mandate to 50 km from international border

The Supreme Court on Monday said that it will examine the validity of the Centre’s 2021 notification expanding the BSF’s jurisdiction to undertake search, seizure and arrest within a larger 50 km stretch from the international border as compared to the earlier 15 km limit.
The bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra also framed legal issues raised in the original lawsuit filed by the Punjab government, challenging the October 11, 2021 notification of the central government, for adjudication.
During the hearing Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre goverment, said that the local police and state governments will continue to have jurisdiction over law and order issues and the Border Security Force (BSF) will deal with national security matters concerning the international border.
Earlier, the Apex court had asked the Centre and the Punjab government to “exchange issues (legal questions)” with each other so that they can finally be settled by it on the next date of hearing.