Delhi High Court Overturns Centre's Rejection of Journalist's OCI Conversion Request
Delhi HC quashes Centre’s decision refusing to convert journalist’s PIO status to OCI
The Hindu
Image: The Hindu
The Delhi High Court has overturned the Indian government's decision to deny journalist Siddharth Varadarajan's request to convert his Person of Indian Origin (PIO) status to Overseas Citizen of India (OCI). The court ordered a fresh review of his application, emphasizing the need for a reasoned decision from authorities.
- 01Delhi High Court quashed the Centre's rejection of Siddharth Varadarajan's OCI conversion request.
- 02Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav emphasized the lack of reasons for the initial denial.
- 03The court ordered authorities to reconsider the application in accordance with the law.
- 04Varadarajan's PIO card is valid until 2032 but is not machine-readable.
- 05The court will hear Varadarajan's plea for travel on the following day.
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On May 12, 2026, the Delhi High Court set aside the Indian government's decision to deny journalist Siddharth Varadarajan's request for converting his Person of Indian Origin (PIO) status to Overseas Citizen of India (OCI). Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav criticized the lack of reasoning provided for the denial, stating that without clear reasons, the appellate court could not adequately assess the matter. The court restored Varadarajan's application and instructed the authorities to reconsider it in line with legal requirements. Varadarajan's counsel highlighted his Indian roots, noting that he was born to Indian parents and has resided in and out of India since 1995. Although his PIO card is valid until 2032, it has become unreadable, necessitating the conversion. The court has scheduled a hearing for the following day to address Varadarajan's request for travel.
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This ruling could set a precedent for other individuals seeking similar conversions from PIO to OCI status, potentially affecting many with Indian heritage.
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