Bombay High Court Intervenes in Citizenship Matter
Bombay High Court Intervenes in Citizenship Matter By Abhishek Jat,Advocate Introduction In a significant judicial determination addressing the critical issue of statelessness, the Bombay High Court recently deliberated upon the plight of a long-term resident whose citizenship application had been summarily dismissed by administrative authorities. The Division Bench, comprising Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Neela Gokhale, examined the complex interplay between immigration status, long-term residency, and the fundamental right against statelessness. Case Background The petition challenged an administrative order dated December 31, 2019, issued by the Deputy Collector (General) of Mumbai Suburban District, whereby the petitioner's application for Indian citizenship was rejected. The administrative authority had determined that the petitioner was a "stateless national" who had purportedly furnished inaccurate information regarding visa validity. The peti...