‘Separatist’ OCI card holder in SC, seeks nod to visit Kashmir

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought the Union govt’s response to US-based octogenarian — Khalid Jahangir Qazi — an OCI card holder accused by India of peddling pro-Pakistan propaganda and being sympathetic to Kashmiri separatists, who is seeking permission to visit Kashmir to attend wedding functions in his sister’s family.Appearing for Qazi, whose OCI card cancellation was annulled by a single judge bench of Delhi high court and appeals against which is pending before a division bench, senior advocate Parag Tripathi told a bench led by CJI Surya Kant that the 82-year-old medical practitioner had visited India in the past and given his age and that of his relatives, this may be the last time he would be able to visit Kashmir and be with family members.“He is ready to give an undertaking that during his visit, he would not indulge in any political activity,” Tripathi said. This persuaded the bench to issue notice to the Centre and sought its response by Sep 7, the next date of hearing. The Delhi high court had earlier rejected his plea to visit India.Qazi stands accused of ‘pro-Pakistan propaganda’ by the Indian Consulate in New York. Indian govt had cancelled his OCI card in May 2023 because of activities which are “inimical to sovereignty and security of India”, and blacklisted him under the Foreigners Act. In Nov 2024, a single judge bench of the Delhi HC had quashed the cancellation of his OCI card saying that Qazi was not given a fair hearing prior to the cancellation.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.