The Supreme Court rejected a Sri Lankan national’s plea seeking refuge in the country. A bench of Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice K Vinod Chandran observed while hearing his plea.
Lankan national was arrested in 2015
According to NDTV, the Lankan national was arrested in 2015 on suspicion of being associated with
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), was once a terrorist organisation.
A trial court convicted the Lankan man in 2018 for 10 years in jail under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. In 2021, the Madras High Court slashed the term from 10 to 7 years and asked him to leave the country.
‘Is India hosting refugees from all over the world?’
The Lankan national pleaded that his wife and children were settled in the country and there was a threat to his life upon returning to Sri Lanka. After hearing his argument, the court said, “Is India hosting refugees from all over the world? We are struggling with 140 crore. This is not a Dharamshala.”
The petitioner’s lawyer argued that it would be a violation of Article 21 (protection of life and liberty) and Article 19, which grants fundamental rights, including freedom of speech and movement. However, Justice Datta ruled out that Article 21 was violated while observing that his detention was done as per law and that Article 19 is available to Indian citizens.
‘Move to another country’
The Lankan’s counsel said that his life was in danger, and the top court asked him to move to another country.
SC constitutes SIT to probe FIR against MP Minister Vijay Shah
Earlier, the Supreme Court came down heavily on Madhya Pradesh BJP minister Kunwar Vijay Shah for his remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who had briefed the media about Operation Sindoor against Pakistan.
The court ordered the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising three IPS officers to probe the matter.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh directed that the SIT must consist of three senior IPS officers from the Madhya Pradesh cadre, who are currently serving in the state but do not originally belong to it. The court also specified that one of the officers must be a woman.
The apex court instructed the Director General of Police to constitute the SIT by May 20.
