The Delhi High Court on Saturday refused to entertain a plea filed by a Pakistani national seeking directions for the consideration of her application for a long-term visa in India [Sheena Naz and Anr v. Union of India and Ors].
The petitioner, Sheena Naz, who is married to an Indian citizen, had applied for a long-term visa on April 23. However, following the Pahalgam terror attack, the Union government, citing national security concerns, suspended visa services for Pakistani nationals on April 24 and directed them to leave India by April 27.
In light of these developments, Naz approached the High Court requesting that her visa application be considered and her residential permit — valid from March 26 to May 9 — not be cancelled.
At a special hearing, Justice Sachin Datta ruled that the government’s decision did not merit judicial review, emphasizing that it was made in the interest of national security.
“Prima facie, the aforesaid order issued under Section 3(1) of the Foreigners Act, 1946 does not warrant any judicial review given that the issuance of the same was impelled by serious national security considerations. It is also not within the province of this Court to carve out any exception(s) thereto,” the Court observed.
Following the Court’s observations, counsel for the petitioner chose to withdraw the plea.
“The petition is accordingly dismissed as withdrawn. Pending applications also stand disposed of,” the Court ordered.
Senior Advocate Sanjeev Sagar, along with advocates Zahid Hanief, Shazia Kidwai, and Nazia Parveen, appeared for the petitioner.
The Union of India was represented by Central Government Standing Counsel Nidhi Raman and advocate Arnav Mittal.
