Delhi High Court Refuses To Entertain Pakistani Woman's Plea For Long Term Visa In India

The Delhi High Court has refused to entertain a petition filed by a Pakistani woman, who married an Indian citizen, seeking issuance of long term visa in India and to regularize the same till grant of citizenship to her.The woman had applied for long term visa before the Bureau of Immigration, India. An order was then issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs under Section 3 (1) of the Foreigners Act, 1946. Vide the said order, it was informed that the Government has decided to suspend the Visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect. The said order was passed by the Government of India in light of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.Justice Sachin Datta observed that prima facie, the order issued by the Union Government under Section 3(1) of the Foreigners Act, 1946 did not warrant any judicial review given that the issuance of the same was impelled by serious national security considerations. As the Court expressed disinclination to entertain the petition, the woman's counsel sought leave to withdraw the same. “The petition is accordingly dismissed as withdrawn,” the Court said. The woman sought a direction on the authorities not to revoke or suspend the residential permit, valid from March 26 till May 09 issued under Rule 6 of the Registration of Foreigner's Rules, 1992 and further extend it time to time.The government, in its order, stated that all existing valid Visas, except Medical visas, Long Term Visas, Diplomatic & Official visas, issued by Government of India to Pakistani nationals stands revoked with immediate effect from 27th April and that the Medical Visa issued to Pakistani Nationals will be valid only till 29th April.The Court observed that the order did not warrant any judicial review and that it js not within the province of the Court to carve out any exception in the matter.Title: SHEENA NAZ & ANR v. UNION OF INDIA & ORS. Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Del) 485Click here to read order

Delhi High Court Refuses To Entertain Pakistani Woman's Plea For Long Term Visa In India

Nupur Thapliyal

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