Madras High Court Upholds OCI Card Cancellation Over Missionary Activities

The Madras High Court has upheld the cancellation of an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) registration card issued to an American citizen of Indian origin, following allegations of conducting missionary activities without required Central government permission, according to reports by the Press Trust of India (PTI).

Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy dismissed the petition filed by John Daniel, who sought the restoration of his OCI registration and associated privileges. The court's decision reinforces existing legal restrictions governing religious and missionary undertakings by overseas citizens in India.

Court Proceedings and Rulings

During the hearings, John Daniel maintained that he had not violated any regulations governing OCI cardholders and denied allegations regarding involvement in missionary work and religious conversions. However, the court observed that preaching and spreading religious messages constitute missionary activities requiring special permissions.

• Petition Dismissed: Justice Chakravarthy rejected the plea under Article 226 of the Constitution, noting that equitable relief could not be extended given the petitioner's statements and the material presented on record.
• Court Observations: The judge noted that Daniel's claim of visiting India strictly for personal family reasons while denying missionary involvement contradicted the material placed before the court.

Future Options for the Petitioner

While the High Court upheld the cancellation of the OCI status, it clarified that the petitioner is free to apply for a regular visa to visit his mother. The court underscored that any religious meetings or activities in India may only be carried out upon securing proper official permissions.

How to Verify

Interested readers can verify court rulings and official legal updates by checking the official portal of the Madras High Court or referencing legal news reports published by established news agencies such as the Press Trust of India.