The former judges said critics also omitted a key portion of the Bench's observations, which clarified that no human being on Indian soil, whether citizen or foreign national, can be subjected to torture, disappearance or inhuman treatment.

"We therefore affirm our full confidence in the Supreme Court and in the CJI, condemn motivated attempts to distort the court's remarks and personalise disagreement into attacks on individual judges; we support consideration of a court-monitored SIT into the illegal procurement of Indian identity and welfare documents by foreign nationals who have entered Bharat in violation of law," the statement said.

Earlier this month, while hearing a habeas corpus petition alleging the disappearance of a few Rohingya refugees from the custody of Indian authorities, Chief Justice Surya Kant had remarked, "If they do not have legal status to stay in India, and you are an intruder, we have a very sensitive border in the north India side."

"If an intruder comes, do we give them a red carpet welcome saying we would like to give you all facilities," the CJI asked, adding, "What is the problem in sending them back?"

The petition was filed by rights activist Rita Manchanda.

(With inputs from PTI)