Court Denies Relief to Sheena Naaz Amid Rising National Security Concerns
The Delhi High Court on Saturday dismissed a plea by Sheena Naaz, a Pakistani woman, who sought directions to process her long-term visa application for India. Naaz, married to an Indian national, had submitted her visa application on April 23, but her request came at a time when the Indian government had taken stringent measures in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
Visa Suspension After Pahalgam Attack
In the aftermath of the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian government decided on April 24 to suspend all visa services for Pakistani nationals. The government further ordered all Pakistani nationals residing in India to leave the country by April 27. This policy shift led Naaz to file her plea, requesting the court to intervene and allow her long-term visa application, while also seeking an exemption for her residential permit, which was valid until May 9.
Court’s Decision on National Security Grounds
During a special hearing on Saturday, Justice Sachin Dutta clarified that the government’s decision to suspend visa services for Pakistani nationals fell under national security considerations and, therefore, was not subject to judicial review. The court emphasized that such actions, taken under Section 3(1) of the Foreigners Act, 1946, were driven by significant national security concerns, which prevented the court from offering any exceptions.
Petition Withdrawn
Expressing its reluctance to entertain the petition, the court noted that the request did not meet the necessary legal criteria for judicial intervention. Following the court’s stance, Naaz’s counsel withdrew the petition. Consequently, the court ordered the dismissal of the case and disposed of all pending applications.
