In her plea, Dougnac has argued that she applied for a special permit, to undertake journalistic activities as an OCI holder. However, on September 14, 2022, a one line communication was issued to her stating that the permission has been denied to her.
“Application for OCI activity permission to undertake Journalistic Activity in India has been DENIED by the competent authority,” the government conveyed.
It is the journalist’s case that the order has been passed in a mechanical manner, without any application of mind and in complete violation of the principles of natural justice and due process.
“The Petitioner (Dougnac) was the longest serving foreign correspondent in India. However, pursuant to the Impugned Order, it became impossible for her to work and earn her livelihood in India. Despite multiple informal and formal attempts at resolving the issue with Respondent Nos. 1 and 2, trying to understand the reasons behind the Impugned Order, and trying to get another OCI Activity Permission to undertake journalistic activities, the Petitioner did not receive any satisfactory response. Consequently, on 16.02.2024, she was forced to leave India, and return to France,” her plea said.
Source: Barandbench
