New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has said that Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders must follow stricter restrictions. If they are charged with or convicted of a crime, their registration can be terminated. The new rules, which were published in a gazette notification on Tuesday, are meant to make the laws that control OCI status stronger.
Important Information About the New OCI Rules
The new rules, which were published under clause (da) of section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955, say that there are two main reasons why an OCI card or registration can be canceled:
Conviction: If someone who has an OCI card has been condemned to prison for at least two years.
Charge Sheet: If the cardholder is on a charge sheet for a crime that might get them seven years or more in prison.
According to a high-ranking official from the MHA who spoke to news outlet ANI, the goal of these new restrictions is to “tighten the framework around OCI registration.” The official also made it clear that these rules will apply no matter where the crime and conviction happened, as long as Indian law recognizes the crime.
Reasons for Cancellation That Already Exist
The new rules are in addition to the current rules for canceling an OCI card, which are included in the Citizenship Act. You can also lose your OCI card if:
The registration was gotten by lying, cheating, or hiding important information.
The cardholder has not showed any love for the Constitution of India.
During a conflict with India, the person traded or talked to an enemy in a way that was against the law.
The person who had the card was given a prison sentence of two years or more within five years of signing up.
The cancellation is thought to be necessary for “the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of India, friendly relations of India with any foreign country, or in the interests of the general public.”
What is the OCI plan?
The Overseas Citizens of India program started in 2005 to give Indian citizens living abroad a lifetime visa to visit and travel to India without any limits. People who were citizens of India on or after January 26, 1950, or who could have been citizens on that day, can get OCI status. But the plan makes it clear that anyone who are or have been citizens of Pakistan or Bangladesh, or who are their ancestors, are not eligible.