In response to Vanessa Dougnac’s challenge against the Central government’s refusal of her request to conduct journalistic activities in India, the Delhi High Court on Monday(4th March) issued notice.
Within a week, the Union government—including the Ministries of Home Affairs and External Affairs—must answer to the plea, as ordered by Justice Subramonium Prasad.
Due to its urgency and potential impact on the rights of an Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card, the petition has been scheduled for hearing on March 12.
The journalist has filed an appeal against the decision made on September 14, 2022, by the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO), which denied her request for authorization to do OCI activity in India and conduct journalism.
Dougnac requests approval from the Union government to reactivate her authorization for OCI activities and to examine the decision in compliance with relevant legal statutes and natural justice principles.
She argued that the Center’s decision was made hurriedly, without proper thought, and against procedural justice.
In addition, on January 18, Dougnac was sent with a show-cause notice about the possible revocation of her OCI in accordance with Section 7D(e) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
She says she replied to the notification, but she never got a response back from the authorities after that.
The journalist, who has been married to an Indian citizen with an OCI card and has lived in India for more than 25 years, claims that the refusal of permission restricts her freedom of speech, expression, and employment, which is protected by Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(g) of the Constitution.
She argued that the order violates her dignity and forbids her from participating in society without a valid reason.