The Uttarakhand High Court, while hearing the order to deport the Pakistani Sikh family living in Dehradun, has sought a clear stand from the government. The court said that if there is a security threat to the family then they should be sent to Pakistan, otherwise an appropriate decision should be taken and the reply should be submitted.
Nainital: The Uttarakhand High Court has sought a clear answer from the state and central governments in the case related to a Pakistani Sikh family living in Dehradun for a long time. The court said that if the family is really a threat to national security then it can be sent back to Pakistan, but the government will have to present its stand with solid grounds in this regard.
The family challenged the order to leave the country
A Pakistani Sikh family, living in Dehradun’s Basant Vihar area on long-term visa since 2019, has challenged in the High Court the order of the state government, in which they were asked to leave India within 24 hours. The family says that their visa is still valid and it is not appropriate to direct them to leave the country before the expiry of the stipulated period.
While hearing the case, the single bench of the High Court has asked the Central and State Governments to take a clear decision in this regard and file a reply before the court. The court has fixed June 15 for the next hearing.
The petitioner came to India with his family in 2019
According to the petition, Manjeet, a resident of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region of Pakistan, came to India with his family in 2019 on a long-term visa. Later he also extended the duration of his visa. The family has been living in Dehradun for the last several years and their children are receiving education here.
It was told in the petition that the elder daughter of the family is studying B.Tech, the second daughter is a BDS student, while the son is still young. The family has requested the court to allow them to stay in India till the validity period of the visa is completed.
The court sought a clear stand from the government
During the hearing, the court also heard the government’s side. On behalf of the state, it was said that the headquarters of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) is also located in the area where this family is living. The government feared that this could create security concerns.
The court made a clear comment on this and said that if the family is really a threat to the security of the country then it can be sent back to its native country Pakistan. But if it is not so, then the government will have to take appropriate decision and give a clear answer to the court.
Hearing will be held on both visa and security aspects
Two major points are now being considered in the case. The first is related to the validity of the family visa and its rights. Second, what is the basis of the security concerns raised by the government and whether there are sufficient facts to support them.
Legal experts believe that the court is trying to strike a balance between both humanitarian aspects and national security in this case. The court may also seriously look into aspects such as the education of the family’s children and long-term residence in India.
Eyes fixed on the next hearing
Now everyone’s eyes are on the next hearing in this case. The court has directed the government to clarify its stand by Monday. Only after this will it be decided whether the family will be allowed to stay in India or will have to leave the country.
This matter is considered to be related not only to visa rules but also to the balance of national security, human rights and administrative decisions, so it is likely to be discussed extensively in the coming days.
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