Varadarajan’s counsel added that Varadarajan’s PIO card remains valid until 2032 and that he has regularly travelled to India since 1995
The Delhi High Court has set aside the Centre’s decision rejecting journalist Siddharth Varadarajan’s request to convert his Person of Indian Origin (PIO) status into an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card.
Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav said the government’s refusal lacked proper explanation and directed authorities to reconsider the application under the law. The court also instructed the Centre to issue a clear and reasoned order after reviewing the matter again.
Varadarajan, founding editor of The Wire, had challenged the Centre’s communication sent on April 2 refusing his request for conversion from PIO to OCI status.
While hearing the matter on Tuesday, the court observed that the government had failed to provide any reasons for rejecting the application. Justice Kaurav said reasons were essential in official decisions so that higher courts could properly examine them if needed.
-
The Centre’s lawyer sought more time to obtain instructions, but the court maintained that the existing order could not stand without justification
-
The judge orally remarked that the authorities would have to reconsider the matter and issue a proper order
The court also listed for hearing on Wednesday another plea by Varadarajan seeking permission to travel abroad. The government counsel was asked to take instructions on that issue as well.
During the hearing, Varadarajan’s senior counsel argued that he was born to Indian parents and had longstanding ties with India. Although PIO cards were treated as OCI cards after 2015, his existing card had reportedly become unreadable, making formal conversion necessary.
