Delhi High Court Issues Notice On French Journalist's Plea Against Denial Of Permission To Carry Out Journalistic Activities In India

The Delhi High Court on Monday issued notice on a plea moved by French journalist Vanessa Dougnac against the denial of permission to carry out journalistic activities in India by the Central Government.

Justice Subramonium Prasad sought response of the Union Government through Ministries of Home Affairs and External Affairs within a weeks' time and listed the matter for hearing on March 12.

The court said that the matter concerns the rights of an Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card holder and thus, needs immediate attention.

The plea has been moved through Advocates Vrinda Bhandari, Anandita Rana, Pragya Barsaiyan and Madhav Aggarwal.

Dougnac has challenged the order passed by the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) on September 14, 2022, dismissing her application for OCI activity permission to undertake journalistic activity in India.

She has further sought a direction on the Union Government to restore her OCI Activity Permission and decide the same in accordance with the applicable law and the principles of natural justice.

It is her case that the impugned order of the Centre is a “summary one-line order” which has been passed in a mechanical manner, without any application of mind and in complete violation of the principles of natural justice and due process.

A show cause notice was issued to the journalist on January 18 by the Centre as to why her OCI should not be cancelled under Section 7D(e) of the Citizenship Act, 1955 “in the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of India and in the interests of the general public.”

The plea states that though the journalist sent her reply to the show cause notice, no response was received by her.

It is the journalist's case that she has been living in India for over 25 years, is married to an Indian citizen and has a son who is also an OCI card holder.

The plea submits that the impugned order is disproportionate and unreasonably restricts the journalist's freedom of speech and expression and freedom of carrying on her profession and occupation, under Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(g) of the Constitution.

“The Impugned Order contravenes her right to dignity in as much as it results in her complete exclusion from participation in society's activities and her right to contest any allegations,” the plea adds.

Title: Vanessa Dougnac Union of India & Anr.