JUDGMENT :

N. Kotiswar Singh, J.

Heard Mr. B.C. Das, learned counsel for the petitioners in WP(C) No.2099/2018 and WP(C) No.2601/2018; Mr. A.R. Sikdar, learned counsel for the petitioner in WP(C) Nos.4610/2018, 8491/2018, 8493/2018, 822/2019; Mr. F.U. Barbhuiya, learned counsel for the petitioner in WP(C) No. 2239/2019; Mr. K.M. Hassan, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner in WP(C) No.8189/2019; Mr. M. Khan, learned counsel appearing for the petitioners in WP(C) No.8253/2019 & WP(C) No.3514/2021 and Mr. H. Ali, learned counsel for the petitioner in WP(C) No.1816/2020.

Also heard Mr. A. Kalita and Mr. J. Payeng, learned Special Counsel, Foreigners Tribunal for the State respondents; Mr. A.I. Ali, learned Standing Counsel, ECI; Ms. U. Das, learned Additional Senior Govt. Advocate, Assam; Mr. A.K. Dutta, learned Central Government Counsel and Ms. L. Devi, learned Standing Counsel, NRC.

2. The common theme which runs through this batch of writ petitions is the applicability of the principle of res judicata. The petitioners contend based on the decision in Abdul Kuddus Vs. Union of India, (2019) 6 SCC 604 [Abdul Kuddus for short] that the subsequent proceedings before the Foreigners