Madras High Court today restrained authorities from deporting a Sri Lankan Tamil refugee to the island nation.
The petitioner R Senthuran, a Sri Lankan Tamil refugee, residing in Pammal area in the city challenged the government ordering his deportation since his application for Indian citizenship was still pending.
Senthuran came to India from Sri Lanka in 2011 due to ethnic trouble and the "Q" Branch Police detained him under Foreigners Act. He was lodged in a special camp at Chengalpattur.
After detaining him in several refugee camps, he was allowed to reside in Chennai and work with a private firm on a condition that he report to the Devakottai Tahasildar every month.
Senthuran further submitted that he came to know through media that on August 19 the state government has decided to deport him and two others to Sri Lanka.
He also submitted that he never acted in any manner prejudicial to the security of India and an order of deportation cannot be passed without any material.
He contended that as per the Clause 6 of the 1st schedule of Citizenship Act, he is a commonwealth Citizen in India and thus he cannot be termed as a foreigner.
The Division Bench Comprising Justice V Dhanapalan and Justice C T Selvam posted the matter for further hearing along with a similar matter which is in the preview of the same Bench.
