Top court: India now ‘haven’ for foreigners overstaying illegally

The Supreme Court on Monday said India seemed to have become a “haven” for foreigners who overstay illegally, as it came down strongly on an Israeli man living in Goa with a Russian partner while dismissing his plea seeking to stop their two minor daughters from being sent back to Russia.

- UtkarshAnand

‘Abench of justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi refused to entertain the petition filed by Dror Shlomo Goldstein, who claimed to be the father of the two girls, calling it a “publicity interest” and “frivolous” litigation. “This country has become a haven for all kinds of people. Anybody comes and stays here endlessly,” bench said during the hearing, questioning how the Israeli national was sustaining himself in India.

“Why are you in India despite being Israeli? Whatis your source of livelihood? We do not want to comment on your activities but howareyou surviving in Goa?” the court asked, as Goldstein’s lawyer, Deepak Prakash, sought an adjournment to confirm whether the children had already been repatriated, and to also serve a copy of the petition to the Centre.

The bench, however, declined to keep the matter pending. “We find this special leave petition totally frivolous. Apparently, the petitioner approached the high courtand this court only for publicity,” the initial order said. It later allowed Goldstein to withdraw the plea, dismissing it as withdrawn.

During the hearing, court also pulled up Goldstein, asking for any proof or evidence to show that he was the father of the girls. “If you are the father, what were you doing when your children were living in a cave? Why should we notorder your deportation too?”