1 week ago
Supreme Court Seeks Centre Response on Qazi Kashmir Visit
Khalid Jahangir Qazi is an 82-year-old man living in the United States.
He wants to travel to Jammu and Kashmir for a wedding in his sister’s family.
The government stopped him from visiting after cancelling his OCI card.
Officials have accused him of spreading views favorable to Pakistan and supporting Kashmiri separatists.
Qazi denies that his planned trip is political.
His lawyer says he will promise not to take part in political activities.
The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to explain its position.
The court will consider the matter again on September 7.
The Supreme Court sought the Centre’s response to Khalid Jahangir Qazi’s request to visit Jammu and Kashmir for a family wedding.
Qazi’s lawyer said the 82-year-old medical practitioner may miss the wedding and could be making his last visit to relatives in Kashmir.
Qazi offered to undertake that he would not engage in political activity during the visit.
The government cancelled Qazi’s OCI card in May 2023 and blacklisted him under the Foreigners Act, citing national sovereignty and security concerns.
The matter is listed for September 7, while the Centre’s appeal against a Delhi High Court ruling on the OCI cancellation remains pending.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, the Centre, and US-based OCI card holder Khalid Jahangir Qazi.
- What
- The court sought the Centre’s response to Qazi’s plea for permission to visit Jammu and Kashmir for a wedding.
- Where
- The proposed visit is to Jammu and Kashmir; the case is before the Supreme Court in New Delhi.
- When
- The order was issued on Tuesday, August 26; the matter is listed for September 7.
- Why
- Qazi says he wants to attend a family wedding and meet relatives, while the government cites allegations involving national sovereignty and security.
Qazi’s Position
Government’s Position
Reason for travel
Qazi’s Position
Qazi says he only wants to attend a family wedding and meet relatives in Kashmir, potentially for the last time because of his age.
Government’s Position
The government has opposed his entry in the context of allegations concerning his activities and national security.
Political activity
Qazi’s Position
Qazi is willing to give an undertaking that he will not engage in political activity during his visit.
Government’s Position
Authorities have accused him of involvement in “pro-Pakistan propaganda” and of being sympathetic to Kashmiri separatists.
OCI cancellation
Qazi’s Position
The Delhi High Court’s single-judge bench quashed the cancellation, finding that Qazi had not received a fair opportunity to be heard.
Government’s Position
The government cancelled his OCI card in May 2023 and has appealed the High Court ruling; that appeal remains pending.
Key facts
- Applicant
- Khalid Jahangir Qazi, an 82-year-old US-based medical practitioner
- Requested visit
- Jammu and Kashmir to attend a wedding in his sister’s family
- Government action
- Qazi’s OCI card was cancelled in May 2023 and he was blacklisted under the Foreigners Act
- Government’s stated grounds
- Activities allegedly inimical to India’s sovereignty and security
- Supreme Court action
- Notice issued to the Centre seeking its response
- Next hearing
- September 7
- Related litigation
- The Delhi High Court’s decision quashing the OCI cancellation is under appeal before a division bench
Quotes
Parag Tripathi
Senior advocate representing Khalid Jahangir Qazi before the Supreme Court
“He is ready to give an undertaking that during his visit, he would not indulge in any political activity.”
theprint.in
Sources
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