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Delhi Court Denies Natasha Narwal UK Research Trip
Natasha Narwal asked a Delhi court for permission to travel to the United Kingdom for research and an academic conference.
She planned to present a paper at a conference at SOAS and visit two other research institutions.
Narwal said she had followed her bail rules and attended court when required.
The prosecution argued that she should stay in India while her case continued.
The judge said the case was serious and that charges were still being considered.
The judge also noted that her right to travel abroad was not unlimited.
The court therefore refused her request.
The article also makes claims about SOAS and Narwal’s alleged role in the 2020 Delhi riots, which remain allegations in the pending case.
A Delhi court rejected Natasha Narwal’s request to travel to the UK from November 2 to December 1, 2026.
Narwal sought to present research at the Historical Materialism Conference at SOAS and visit the University of Warwick and British Library.
The judge cited the seriousness of the UAPA case, pending consideration of charges, and the need for Narwal to remain available to the court.
Narwal argued she had complied with bail conditions, regularly attended proceedings, and would suffer financial loss if unable to travel.
The prosecution opposed the trip, citing the pending case and expressing concern that Narwal might seek asylum in the UK.
- Who
- Natasha Narwal, a UAPA-accused person in the 2020 Delhi riots larger-conspiracy case.
- What
- A Delhi court denied her request to travel to the UK for a conference and research.
- Where
- The decision was made by a Delhi court; the proposed trip was to the United Kingdom.
- When
- The article says the court issued its decision on October 6; Narwal requested travel from November 2 to December 1, 2026.
- Why
- The judge cited the seriousness of the pending UAPA case and the stage of proceedings.
Narwal’s position
Prosecution and court concerns
Request to travel
Narwal’s position
Narwal sought permission to attend a conference and conduct research, saying she had complied with bail conditions and regularly attended court.
Prosecution and court concerns
The prosecution opposed travel because the case was pending and at a critical stage; the judge found the case’s seriousness weighed against allowing the trip.
Risk of not returning
Narwal’s position
Narwal said denial would cause financial loss and pointed to her record of attending proceedings.
Prosecution and court concerns
The prosecution expressed concern that she might remain in the UK and seek asylum; the article does not report the court making a finding that she would do so.
Right to travel
Narwal’s position
Narwal relied on the Delhi High Court’s earlier grant of liberty to seek permission from the trial court to travel abroad.
Prosecution and court concerns
The judge said the right to travel abroad is not absolute and noted that the High Court had required surrender of her passport and prior court permission.
Key facts
- Applicant
- Natasha Narwal
- Court
- Karkardooma Courts, Delhi
- Judge
- Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai
- Requested travel dates
- November 2 to December 1, 2026
- Conference
- 23rd Annual Historical Materialism Conference, scheduled for November 5–8
- Research paper
- “Gendered Carceral Labour as Social Reproduction”
- Other planned stops
- University of Warwick and the British Library
Quotes
Delhi court
The court hearing Narwal’s travel-permission application.
“the right of the applicant to travel abroad is not an absolute right and is subject to certain exceptions and the pendency of the present case under the provisions of UAPA is probably the most relevant exception”
opindia.com
“as the matter is pending for consideration of charge, the Court doesn’t deem it appropriate to allow the applicant to visit abroad. Accordingly, the application is dismissed.”
opindia.com
Sources
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