The High Court dismissed the appeals as appellants failed to appear before the Foreigners Tribunals. 

• HC relied on the Foreigners Act, 1946, now replaced by Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025,
• It places the burden of proving citizenship on the individual.

Key observations of the court (Sabitri Dey @ Swasthi Dey Vs UoI)

• Fairness over State Interest: State interest in preventing illegal citizenship claims cannot override a fair, lawful, and reasoned process.
• Constitutional Protection: Articles 14 (equality before the law) and 21 (right to life and personal liberty) extend to foreigners, not just Indian citizens.

About Foreigners Tribunals

• Origin: Established under Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, 1964, under Foreigners Act, 1946. (superseded by Immigration and Foreigners Order, 2025)
• Composition: May consist of up to 3 members with judicial experience
• Function:  Quasi-judicial bodies adjudicating "references" made by authorities regarding whether a person is a foreigner.
• Constituted by: Central Government 
• Powers:  Powers of a civil court and Judicial Magistrate of the first class while disposing various functions like issuing a warrant of arrest against the proceedee, etc.