PANAJI
After strict directives from the High Court of Bombay at Goa regarding the bail of foreigners involved in crimes, the Government of India is now poised to formulate a comprehensive policy to decide whether such foreign nationals should be granted travel documents for future journeys.
The genesis of this policy is considering that a number of foreign nationals are entangled in criminal activities, which could pose a threat to the nation's security.
Deputy Solicitor General of India Pravin Fadesai has confirmed the development stating that the Central government is in the process of drafting a policy regarding handling visa renewal or extension applications for under trial or convicted foreigners, or those who have a pending investigation against them. The policy will also prevent undertrials from fleeing to another nation till the verdict is pronounced.
“The decision regarding the granting of visas to those without valid travel documents will squarely rest with the Government of India. It will address the circumstances under which accused foreign nationals with valid visas, but implicated in other offenses, may return to India after the expiry of the stay validity,” he said, speaking to The Goan.
In one specific case involving Portuguese national Antonio Ramos, accused of drug trafficking, the High Court granted him bail around eight months ago, yet he is in judicial custody pending a decision on his visa extension. In a criminal writ petition filed recently, he claimed that despite bail, pending decision on his visa renewal application has hindered his release.
To this claim of delay, Fadesai submitted to the Court that the petitioner is well informed of the status, yet no decision has been forthcoming from the relevant authorities.
The Court directed the government to decide on the application within two months, especially considering the petitioner's bail status.
While there could be hundreds of thousands of cases against foreigners pending before various courts, Goa alone accounts for around 90 FIRs, including 6-7 related to illegal stays. Among those granted bail, another 6-7 await release subject to producing their original travel documents as per another stringent directive of the High Court.
