The Delhi High Court on Monday adjourned “for the time being” the hearing of a “revision application” filed by UK-based journalist Amrit Wilson in connection with cancellation of her Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card. On May 12, the HC had issued notice to the Centre in Wilson’s challenge to a March 17 order issued by the High Commission of India in London cancelling her OCI card. The HC had been informed at the time that Wilson’s revision application moved on April 17 had been pending with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) despite repeated requests. In its May 12 order, the HC had noted, “The allegation raised in the show-cause notice dated 23rd November 2022.and in the impugned order is that the Petitioner has been engaged in detrimental propaganda against the Government of India and involved in anti-India activities.” The court had directed the counsel appearing for the Centre to place the “material on which allegations in the show-cause notice and the impugned order were made with respect” to Wilson. The court had listed the matter for August 7. During the course of the hearing on Wilson’s fresh application in the matter on Monday, senior advocate Rebecca John submitted before the single-judge bench of Justice Prathiba Singh that an email was received at 10 pm on May 19, fixing a hearing at 3pm on May 22 in Wilson’s revision application. John said the “material which is the basis of the cancellation of OCI card for holding that the petitioner is engaged in ‘anti-India propaganda and for activities inimical to sovereignty of India’. have yet not been provided”. Appearing for the Centre, advocate Nidhi Raman said the revision application can be heard on any suitable date. The HC said it is “deemed appropriate that the revision application is adjourned for the time being” after considering the order issued by the court on May 12. The court also issued notice on the fresh application and listed it along with the main matter on August 7. Accepting the notice, Raman said her clients are willing to place on record in “sealed cover” the “inputs by RAW and IB” with respect to Wilson. Justice Singh orally told Raman during the hearing, “Whatever documents are available in public domain you can give”.
