'Struggling with 140 crore people, India not dharamashala': SC on foreign convict plea
New Delhi, May 19 (PTI): The Supreme Court on Monday observed the country was not a "dharamshala" or a public shelter to accommodate foreign nationals from across the globe.
A bench of justices Dipankar Datta and K Vinod Chandran was hearing a plea challenging an order of the Madras High Court directing the petitioner, a Sri Lankan citizen, to leave the country after finishing his seven-year sentence in an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) case.
"Is India to host refugees from all over the world? We are struggling with 140 crore people… This is not a dharmshala that we can entertain foreign nationals from all over the world," the bench said.
The petitioner's counsel said his client was facing threats of arrest and torture in his country as he was a former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) member, and that his wife and children had settled in India.
The bench, however, said the fundamental right to settle in India was available only to its citizens and that there was no violation of his rights under Article 21 (protection of life and liberty) of the Constitution.
"What is your right to settle here," the bench said, "go to some other country."
The petitioner was sentenced under Section 10 (penalty for being a member of an unlawful association) of the UAPA Act.
The Madras High Court while reducing his sentence from 10 years to seven directed him to leave the country immediately.
On May 16, another apex court bench rapped the petitioners who claimed 43 Rohingya refugees, including women and children, were dropped in the Andaman sea for deportation to Myanmar and said, "when the country is passing through a difficult time, you come out with fanciful ideas."
The top court was then informed that some refugees having United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cards, including women and children, were arrested by police authorities late last night and deported.
"If they (Rohingyas) are all foreigners and if they are covered by the Foreigners' Act, then they will have to be dealt with as per the Foreigners' Act," the bench had said while adding that UNHCR-issued identity cards may not be of any help to them under the law.
On May 8, the top court said if Rohingya refugees in the country were found to be foreigners under Indian laws they would have to be deported.
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Passing out parade held at IMA Dehradun, 491 young officers join Indian Army
Dehradun(PTI): After undergoing rigorous training at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun, 491 cadets participated in a grand Passing Out Parade on Saturday and will now be commissioned as officers in the Indian Army.
The spectacular parade, held at the historic Drill Square in front of the academy's Chatwood Building, was reviewed by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, who served as the reviewing officer.
Along with 491 Indian cadets, 34 foreign cadets from 14 friendly countries also participated in the Autumn Term 2025 Passing Out Parade.
A total of 525 officer cadets from the 157th Regular Course, 46th Technical Entry Scheme, 140th Technical Graduate Course, 55th Special Commissioned Officers Course, and Territorial Army Online Entrance Exam 2023 Course participated in the Passing Out Parade.
The 'Sword of Honour' and gold medal for securing first place during training was awarded to ACA Nishkal Dwivedi, the silver medal to BUO Badal Yadav for second place, and the bronze medal to SUO Kamaljeet Singh for third place.
The silver medal for securing first place in the 'Technical Graduate Course' was awarded to Officer Cadet Jadhav Sujit Sampat, and the silver medal for first place in the 'Technical Entry Scheme-46' was awarded to WCC Abhinav Mehrotra.
The silver medal for the 'Special Commission Officer Course' was given to Officer Cadet Sunil Kumar Chhetri.
Among the foreign cadets, the first place in merit was secured by JUO Mohammad Safin Ashraf from Bangladesh. The Army Chief's Banner for overall best performance in the Autumn Term was awarded to Imphal Company.
As the parade concluded, helicopters showered flowers on the newly commissioned officers from the sky.
On this occasion, General Dwivedi congratulated the new officers in his address for successfully completing their training. He praised the young officers for their high level of discipline, leadership qualities, and endurance, and urged them to uphold the glorious traditions of the Indian Army and serve the nation with loyalty, commitment, and honour.
General Dwivedi said that joining the army marks the beginning of a lifelong duty and selfless service.
The parents and guardians of the newly commissioned officers were also present during the passing out parade.
