Can't let India be maligned, Delhi HC tells journo in OCI card case

NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court said on Monday the country cannot be permitted to be maligned internationally as it listed for hearing on Aug 27 a petition by UK-based journalist Amrit Wilson challenging the cancellation of her Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card.

Opposing any relief, the Central govt tendered a report in a sealed cover before Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav and said there were inputs from intelligence agencies against Wilson, which had a bearing on the sovereignty of the nation.

HC examined the report and said there were allegations the octogenarian petitioner had participated in anti-India activities. "We should not be such a tolerant state that we allow our own country to be criticised, maligned on an international platform. There are some IB reports against you. There are not only tweets. There are allegations that you participated in anti-India activities," the judge said.

However, the counsel appearing for Wilson questioned the Centre's claim that the petitioner participated in anti-India activities and contended that the show-cause notice given to her was devoid of any details.

The high court then asked the parties to file written submissions.

Govt cancelled Wilson's OCI card in 2023 for allegedly engaging in "detrimental propaganda against the Indian govt". Wilson, in her petition, contended that the March 17, 2023 order cancelling her OCI card was ex facie illegal and arbitrary, and it was passed by the Indian high commission in a mechanical manner, without any application of mind and in complete violation of the principles of natural justice.

The Indian high commission in London had issued a show-cause notice to Wilson in Nov 2022 accusing her of being "engaged in detrimental propaganda against the Indian govt" and being involved in "multiple anti-India activities" which posed a threat to the sovereignty and integrity of India and the interest of the general public.

Wilson's petition said the show-cause notice was arbitrary since it did not provide any material particulars or a summary of specific reasons to substantiate the allegations levelled against her.

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