Delhi HC Seeks Central Government’s Reply on Nitisha Kaul’s Plea Against OCI Cancellation

The Delhi High Court has issued notice on a petition filed by British academic Nitisha Kaul, challenging the cancellation of her Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status by the Indian government.

Justice Sachin Datta heard the matter and sought a response from the Union Government on the decision to revoke her OCI card. The Court has directed the Centre to file its reply and listed the case for further hearing.

In her petition, Kaul has urged the court to set aside the cancellation, calling the order arbitrary and unsupported by law. She has argued that both the impugned OCI cancellation order and an alleged undisclosed blacklisting order have no legal or factual basis. Kaul states that she was not provided any reasons or material to justify the action taken against her.

The matter will next be heard on January 22.

Kaul had publicly disclosed the revocation in May 2025 through a post on X (formerly Twitter), where she wrote,“I received a cancellation of my #OCI (Overseas Citizenship of #India) today after arriving home. A bad faith, vindictive, cruel example of #TNR (transnational repression) punishing me for scholarly work on anti-minority & anti-democratic policies of #Modi rule.”

Case Title: Nitasha Kaul v. Union of India & Ors

Bench: Justice Sachin Datta

Hearing Date: 26 November 2025