The Delhi High Court on Monday observed that it cannot permit India to be run down on the global stage, while hearing a petition filed by UK-based academic Amrit Wilson challenging the cancellation of her Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card.
Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav made the remarks after perusing a sealed cover report submitted by the Centre. The report contained intelligence inputs relating to Wilson’s alleged involvement in activities considered adverse to India.
“We should not be such a tolerant State that we allow our own country to be criticised… maligned at international platform. There are some IB [Intelligence Bureau] reports against you. There are not only two tweets, there are allegations that you participated in anti-India activities. There are IB reports, I have seen it,” the judge said in court.
Wilson, an 82-year-old British-Indian writer and journalist, had her OCI status revoked in 2023. The government cited her alleged engagement in “multiple anti-India activities” and “detrimental propaganda” as grounds for the decision.
Appearing for the Centre, Central Government Standing Counsel Nidhi Raman told the court that all material available publicly had been shared with Wilson. However, she added that certain intelligence inputs were confidential and were being placed before the Bench in a sealed envelope. According to Raman, the matter touches upon the “integrity and sovereignty of India.”
Petitioner’s arguments
Senior Advocate Trideep Pais, representing Wilson, argued that the show-cause notice issued to her lacked particulars. He contended that while references were initially made to a tweet and two articles -- one concerning the farmers’ protest and another on Kashmir -- these were not the actual basis of the notice.
Pais maintained that none of Wilson’s writings could be described as anti-India. He also objected to the use of sealed cover submissions, pointing out that the practice has been deprecated by the Supreme Court.
Court proceedings
The High Court had earlier issued notice to the Centre on Wilson’s plea in May 2023. After examining the confidential material on Monday, the Bench observed that the allegations reflected in the report were serious in nature.
The Court directed both sides to place their written submissions on record. The matter has been listed for further hearing on August 27.
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