New Rules for OCI Holders: The Home Ministry has issued a new rule for OCI cardholders, under which their registration can be canceled if they are convicted of a serious crime. This step has been taken to maintain law and order ...
New Delhi: The central government has made a big change regarding the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card issued for foreign nationals of Indian origin. According to the new notification of the Home Ministry, if an OCI cardholder is caught in a serious criminal case or is convicted, his registration can be canceled. The Home Ministry said that if an OCI holder is sentenced to two years or more imprisonment, his OCI card can be canceled. Apart from this, if a charge sheet is filed against a person in which there is a provision of punishment of seven years or more, then also action can be taken to cancel his card.
2 years sentence or 7 years charge sheet
The notification clarifies, “Under clause (da) of section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955, the Central Government determines that the OCI registration of a person who has been sentenced to at least two years imprisonment or against whom a charge sheet has been filed for an offence punishable with seven years or more, will be cancelled.” The OCI card allows foreign citizens of Indian origin to travel to India without a visa. This scheme was launched in August 2005, with the aim of connecting the NRIs with India. Only a person is eligible for OCI who was a citizen of India on or after 26 January 1950. Or was eligible to become a citizen of India on that date. However, citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries are not eligible under this scheme.
Entry will not be allowed in India
The new policy is being seen as a strict step in the NRI community. The government says that this provision is necessary to prevent serious crimes and maintain law and order. This will ensure that people who have special status with India do not get involved in criminal activities. Experts believe that this change will have a direct impact on those OCI cardholders who keep coming and going to India even while living abroad. If a case of any serious crime is registered against them, their card can be canceled immediately, which will affect their travel to India and investment plans. This step of the government gives a message to OCI holders that along with taking advantage of India's special status, they will also have to respect and follow the law.
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Arjit Kumar
