Husband's Alleged Involvement In Criminal Case No Ground To Deny Security Clearance To Spouse For OCI Registration: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court ruled that a foreign spouse of an Indian citizen is not eligible for an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card based solely on their marriage. The Court determined that the OCI card, which provides certain benefits similar to Indian citizenship, is governed by the Citizenship Act of 1955 and associated regulations. These rules stipulate that only individuals with Indian heritage or certain other specified criteria qualify. The foreign spouse’s application for an OCI card was denied because they did not meet these criteria, despite their marital status. The decision underscores the strict requirements for obtaining OCI status and the limitations placed on foreign spouses in this context.