New Delhi, February 16 The Delhi High Court on Monday observed that the country cannot be allowed to be denigrated internationally, as it listed for hearing on August 27 a petition by UK-based journalist Amrit Wilson challenging the cancellation of her Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card.
In support of the cancellation, the counsel for the central government presented a report in a sealed envelope before Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, stating that there were inputs from intelligence agencies that had implications for the nation's sovereignty.
The court reviewed the report and commented that the octogenarian petitioner was accused of participating in anti-India activities.
"We should not be a tolerant State that allows our own country to be criticized and denigrated on an international platform. There are some IB reports against you. It is not just about two tweets. There are allegations that you participated in anti-India activities," Justice Kaurav said.
The senior counsel representing Wilson opposed the Centre's claim that the petitioner was involved in anti-India activities, arguing that the show-cause notice issued to her lacked any specific details.
The court listed the matter for hearing on August 27 and asked the parties to submit their written arguments.
The Centre cancelled Wilson's OCI card in 2023, alleging that she was engaged in "detrimental propaganda against the Indian government".
In her petition, Wilson contended that the order of March 17, 2023, which cancelled her OCI card, was illegal and arbitrary, and was passed by the high commission in a mechanical manner, without any consideration 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 November 2022, accusing her of being "engaged in detrimental propaganda against the Indian government" and of being involved in "multiple anti-India activities" that pose a threat to the sovereignty and integrity of India and the interests of the general public.
Wilson's petition stated that the show-cause notice was arbitrary since it did not provide any specific material or a summary of reasons to substantiate the allegations against her.