High Court of Karnataka in Bengaluru ordered the deportation of two Nigerian nationals who resided in India for more than ten years without valid visas. The court delivered its ruling on Friday, ending a prolonged legal battle over their immigration status.
Court Rejects Pleas for Leniency
Justice R. Devdas presided over the case. He dismissed the petitions filed by the two men, who sought relief from deportation on humanitarian grounds. The court found that both individuals had violated the Foreigners Act of 1946 and the Passport Act of 1920. Furthermore, the judge noted that the petitioners had remained in the country illegally since their visas expired in 2014.
Officials Uncover Lengthy Overstay
Police arrested the two Nigerians during a routine verification drive in Bengaluru last year. Subsequently, authorities discovered that neither man had renewed his visa or applied for an extension during the past decade. In addition, investigators found no records of valid travel documents.
Petitioners Cite Hardship
The two men argued that they had established lives in India. They claimed they ran small businesses and had family ties in Bengaluru. Moreover, they expressed fear of returning to Nigeria due to security concerns. However, the court rejected these arguments.”We have lived here for ten years. We have built our lives here. Sending us back now will destroy everything,” one of the petitioners stated in court.
Judge Cites Rule of Law
Justice Devdas emphasized that immigration laws apply equally to all foreign nationals. He stated that the court could not overlook deliberate violations of statutory requirements. Additionally, he pointed out that the petitioners had multiple opportunities to regularize their status but failed to do so.”
The petitioners have consciously chosen to overstay their welcome. They cannot now claim sympathy from this court,” the judge remarked in his order.
