New Delhi — The Supreme Court on Friday intervened in the deportation proceedings of a Bengaluru-based man and his family, issuing directions to verify their claims of Indian citizenship before any further action is taken.
The petitioner, currently residing in Bengaluru with family members based in Jammu and Kashmir, challenged a deportation notice served by the Foreign Registration Office (FRO) in Srinagar on April 25. The notice alleged that the family had illegally entered India in 1997 and were obligated to leave the country upon expiry of their visa, on the presumption that they were Pakistani nationals.
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh directed the relevant authorities to expeditiously examine the petitioner’s documents, including Indian passports and Aadhaar cards, which were submitted in court as evidence of lawful citizenship.
While the Court did not stipulate a deadline for the verification process, it made clear that no coercive action is to be taken against the petitioner or his family until a final determination is made under judicial oversight.
The deportation notice is one of many issued in the wake of India's heightened national security measures following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam. As part of its response, the Central Government ordered Pakistani nationals on short-term tourist and medical visas to leave the country. However, those on long-term permits—including Hindus of Pakistani origin—were permitted to remain.
Following the order, 125 Pakistani nationals exited India via the Attari-Wagah border on Wednesday, bringing the total number of departures over the past week to 911.
Exit deadlines varied depending on visa category, with SAARC visa holders required to leave by April 26, 12 other visa categories by April 27, and medical visa holders by April 29.
The Supreme Court’s interim relief underscores the judiciary’s emphasis on due process and individual rights amid broader national security concerns. The case will continue under the Court’s supervision until a final verdict is reached on the family's citizenship status.
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