Go to Pakistan if Dissatisfied, Bombay High Court Tells Muslim Refugee in Pune

Pune/Mumbai, 1st August 2024: The High Court has issued a stern warning to a refugee petitioner, advising him not to take advantage of India’s liberal policy. The court suggested that if he was dissatisfied, he could consider relocating to Pakistan or Gulf countries. These remarks were made during the hearing of a refugee petition.

During the Yemen war of 2014-15, many Yemeni citizens fled to other countries. Khaled Hussain’s wife came to India for her sister’s cancer treatment during this time and secured a visa. Later, Khaled joined her on a student visa. Due to the ongoing conflict, the Hussain family remained in India and eventually obtained refugee status. During their stay, they had two children. Recently, however, the Pune police issued a notice for the family to leave the country, prompting Khaled Hussain to approach the High Court.

Khaled Hussain, a Yemeni citizen, has been residing in Pune with his family for the past ten years. The administration issued a notice for them to leave India as their permitted stay period had expired. Khaled argued that they are in the process of obtaining visas for Australia and requested permission to stay in India until then. The petition was heard by a bench comprising Justice Revati Mohite-Dere and Justice Prithviraj Chavan.

“You can go to 129 countries of the world. Why do you want to move to Australia?” the High Court questioned.

Khaled argued that children born in India should be granted Indian citizenship, a claim the court scrutinized.

Government advocate Sandesh Patil strongly opposed the petition, stating that while the Hussain family has been in India for many years, they cannot stay as refugees indefinitely according to the rules. Patil emphasized that the Hussains are currently living illegally in India, and their children are not eligible for Indian citizenship.

The High Court has adjourned the hearing for a week, ordering Khaled Hussain to provide details about the school his children are attending.