The Bombay High Court in Goa has requested an affidavit from the central government regarding non-compliance with its directive to reconsider advocate Aires Rodrigues’ Overseas Citizen of India card application. The High Court previously quashed the rejection by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office, stating it acted without jurisdiction. The central government is appealing this order.
Goa: The Bombay High Court at Goa has sought an affidavit from the central government in a contempt petition filed by advocate Aires Rodrigues. Rodrigues claims non-compliance with a previous High Court directive ordering the reconsideration of his Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card application.
In July, the High Court quashed the Foreigners Regional Registration Office’s (FRRO) decision to reject Rodrigues’ OCI card application, stating that “the FRRO acted without jurisdiction” since it was neither authorized by the central government nor delegated the requisite powers to decide on OCI card applications.
Despite the High Court’s clear instruction to the central government to pass a fresh order on Rodrigues’ application within 30 days, Senior Advocate A F Diniz, representing Rodrigues, informed the court that the directive had not been followed.
Central government standing counsel Raviraj Chodankar explained that the government is in the process of challenging the High Court’s July order before the Supreme Court.
The High Court has now directed the central government to file an affidavit detailing the reasons for non-compliance. This matter highlights the ongoing tension between jurisdictional authority and compliance with court orders regarding OCI applications.
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