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US Citizen approaches Bombay High Court After Being Arbitrarily Expelled From India
In May 2018, Massachusetts resident Joshua Sadagursky was detained for nine hours upon arrival at the Mumbai International Airport and thereafter 'arbitrarily' expelled. Joshua Sadagursky was employed at the United States based Non Governmental Organization (NGO) Global Citizen Year. His visit to India was in pursuance of a fellowship programme with NGO Teach for India in 2017 (on a one year visa). He intended to return to India.
Further it was alleged that while he was detained he was not neither provided nor permitted access to make any food purchases, he was not even permitted to sleep. Subsequently, he was given a notice, requiring him to return to the US, under the Foreigners Order, 1948. His explusion was not supported by a convincing reason.
Joshua Sadagursky moved the Bombay High Court with the above matter. His claim was that he had in fact overstayed in India for a period of 180 days owing to the undue delay on part of the the authorities regarding an applied visa extension. He described the same as a "minor visa violation", he also stated that the issue standed resolved after he was made to pay a fine for the same.
In an unprecedented move, the Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO), Hyderabad issued to him an exit permit and he was made to leave India on 12th May 2018.
He returned back on 21st May, 2018 - thats when he was unduly detained and further expelled from the country in an arbitrary move. In his petition he described the unlawful events conducted by the FRRO to be violative of his Fundamental Right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, along with the United Nations International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights.
He has prayed before the Court to direct the authorities to describe the reasons behind his expulsion, and further that he is eeking entry in the country to immediatley take up a job and the authorities to be restrained from restricting his entry in the country.
The next hearing is dated to August 26th.
