The Delhi High Court has dismissed a Turkmenistan national’s challenge to refusal of entry into India, holding that possession of a valid business visa does not guarantee admission.
Justice Amit Mahajan ruled on September 30 in a petition concerning the woman’s return from Delhi airport on March 25. She sought written reasons and permission to enter, arguing that her husband had been admitted after travelling with her.
The authorities relied on adverse inputs, concerns about her travel pattern and unsatisfactory explanations of her business activities. After examining confidential material, the court found a factual basis for the immigration assessment.
The judgment distinguishes the issue of a visa from the immigration officer’s decision at the border. It also rejected the equality challenge because the woman had not shown that the same adverse assessment applied to her husband.
The court declined to substitute its assessment for that of the competent authority in the circumstances and dismissed the writ petition.