OCIs have same rights as Indians, Delhi High Court |
Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) have the right to enjoy the fundamental rights of equality and freedom of speech and expression in the same way as any other Indian citizen, observed Delhi high court while hearing an appeal of a US based Indian origin doctor whose OCI registration was cancelled. The observations came while seeking a report from the centre on the basis of which the cancellation of the registration was recommended. Dr Christo Thomas Philip had challenged the cancellation of his OCI registration over his alleged missionary activities in Bihar. The court issued the direction after finding that one of the facts, regarding the doctor`s place of birth, was incorrect in the report and there was no material on record to support the government assumption that he was acting as a medical missionary. The said report indicates that the petitioner was born in USA. This is stoutly disputed by the petitioner. He states that he was born in Kerala. The doctor, in his plea, claimed that the action was taken against him without any evidence and there was no basis for coming to the conclusion that he was involved in missionary and evangelical activities in India leading to unrest and law-and-order problems.
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