Delhi HC asks Centre to respond to U.K.-based journalist’s plea challenging OCI card cancellation
The Hindu
The Delhi High Court on May 12 asked the Centre to respond to a plea by a U.K.-based Indian-origin journalist Amrit Wilson challenging cancellation of her OCI card for her alleged involvement in “detrimental propaganda against the Indian Government”.
The Delhi High Court on May 12 asked the Centre to respond to a plea by a U.K.-based Indian-origin journalist challenging cancellation of her OCI card for her alleged involvement in "detrimental propaganda against the Indian Government”.
Justice Prathiba M. Singh issued notice to the ministries of Home Affairs, External Affairs and the High Commission of India in London on the petition filed by 82-year-old Amrit Wilson.
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The High Court also asked the Centre to place on record the material based on which it cancelled the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card of Ms. Wilson.
The woman, in her plea before the High Court, contended that the March 17, 2023 order cancelling her OCI card was ex-facie illegal and arbitrary. She has said it was passed by the High Commission in a mechanical manner, without any application of mind and in complete violation of the principles of natural justice.
Ms. Wilson, represented by senior advocate Rebecca John, said her revision application moved on April 17 is still pending before the Ministry of Home Affairs despite repeated requests.
She said the respondents’ actions have resulted in "gross violation" of her fundamental rights and have prevented her from travelling to India where she spent the first 20 years of her life.
While residents are worried over deaths due to diarrhoea in Vijayawada, officials still grapple to find the root cause. Contaminated drinking water supplied by VMC officials is the reason, insist people in the affected areas, but officials insist that efforts are on to identify the disease and that those with symptoms other than diarrhoea too are visiting the health camps.