Staff Reporter
Panaji
The Supreme Court has disposed of the Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) challenging a High Court order directing the ministry to decide on an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) application submitted by Advocate Aires Rodrigues.
The court granted the MHA liberty to file a fresh petition after its review petition is resolved by the High Court.
The High Court of Bombay at Goa had, on July 25 last year, directed the MHA to consider and decide Rodrigues’ OCI application within 30 days. However, MHA’s failure to comply led Rodrigues to file a contempt of court petition, with the High Court issuing notices to MHA officials.
The next hearing in the contempt case is scheduled for January 8.
Rodrigues had applied for an OCI card after surrendering his Indian passport and obtaining the necessary documents, including a surrender certificate. However, the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Mumbai rejected his application, citing a new rule requiring six months of residence in Goa before applying for an OCI card.
Challenging the FRRO’s decision, Rodrigues moved the High Court, arguing that the cancellation of his application was arbitrary, illegal, and contrary to law. He further submitted that the one-sentence rejection by the FRRO, issued without any reasons, violated the principles of natural justice.
