In what can be seen as unpleasant development for Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders, India has introduced stricter rules that OCI registration of any individual can be cancelled if they are convicted of a serious criminal offence or formally charge-sheeted in cases involving grave charges.
India has tightened OCI rules, allowing cancellation if cardholders face serious criminal convictions or grave charges, aiming to strengthen the legal framework for foreign nationals of Indian origin.In a gazette notification, the Ministry of Home Affairs outlined two main grounds for cancellation of an OCI card: first, if the cardholder is sentenced to imprisonment of two years or more, or if they are charge-sheeted for an offence punishable with a jail term of seven years or longer.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has now tightened rules for Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), stating that registrations can be revoked if the card holder is sentenced to at least two years in prison or is charge-sheeted for an offence carrying a punishment of seven years or more.The OCI card allows Indian-origin foreign nationals to visit India without a visa.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (da) of section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955 (57 of 1955), the central government hereby states that an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) registration shall be liable to get cancelled when a person has been sentenced to imprisonment for term of not less than two years or has been charge-sheeted for an offence entailing punishment of imprisonment for seven years or more,” reads the notification issued by the Ministry, as per multiple reports.
The move is aimed at tightening the legal framework governing OCI status, which grants certain rights and privileges to foreign citizens of Indian origin."The provision applies irrespective of whether the conviction occurred in India or abroad, provided the offence is recognised under Indian law," an MHA official said.
The notification comes under the provisions of the Citizenship Act, 1955 and the Citizenship Rules, 2009, which empower the central government to cancel OCI registration under specified conditions.In recent years, the ministry has taken steps to more closely regulate the OCI scheme after instances where holders were found to be involved in criminal or anti-national activities.The OCI cards offer multiple-entry, multi-purpose lifelong visas to persons of Indian origin and their spouses, along with certain economic and educational rights.
Introduced in August 2005, the Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) scheme allows foreign nationals of Indian origin to travel to India without a visa, offering long-term residency and multiple-entry benefits.It is available to individuals who were citizens of India on or after January 26, 1950, or were eligible to become citizens on that date.
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