Norwegian of Indian origin gets HC help on entering country

New Delhi, Feb 11 (PTI) A Norwegian of Indian origin, who
had allegedly been harassed by immigration authorities as his
name was earlier in the "Look Out List", will now have a
smooth entry into the country as the Delhi High Court has
directed the government to take corrective steps.

Accepting the submission of the counsel appearing for the
Ministry of External Affairs that the name of Gurcharan Singh,
was removed from the "black list" on January 13, Justice S
Ravindra Bhat directed the authorities to allow him to enter
the country.

"The petitioner can henceforth be allowed entry on the
basis of the latest order on January 13, 2009, removing his
name from the black list," said Justice Bhat.

In his petition, Singh submitted before the court that
despite being a holder of Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card,
every time he entered into country, the immigration
authorities "invariably" detained him for several hours.

Filing various supporting documents before the court,
Singh submitted that the Immigration officials detained him
for hours at airport for the only reason that his name was
earlier in the "Look Out List".

The Court accepted the Centre's affidavit and the letters
written by the Foreigner's Regional Registration Office (FRRO)
to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) informing that he was
detained at the airport as his name was figuring in the black
list but was later allowed to enter on finding that he was
carrying a PIO card.

"Look Out List" is maintained by the MEA and is sent to
all airports to control the entry of unwanted elements in the
country. PTI PNM
PMR
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