'Can't Allow India To Be Maligned Globally': Delhi HC On Amrit Wilson's OCI Card Cancellation

Last Updated:February 16, 2026, 21:08 IST

Delhi High Court reviewed intelligence reports on Amrit Wilson, whose OCI card was cancelled over alleged anti-India activities. Both sides must submit arguments by August 27.

The Delhi High Court on Monday said it cannot allow the country to be maligned globally while hearing a plea challenging the Centre’s decision to cancel UK-based academic Amrit Wilson’s Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card.

According to Bar and Bench, Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav examined the sealed cover report furnished by the Central government, detailing the reasons for cancelling Amrit Wilson’s OCI card.

“We should not be such a tolerant State that we allow our own country to be criticised… maligned at international platform. There are some IB [Intelligence Bureau] reports against you. There are not only two tweets, there are allegations that you participated in anti-India activities. There are IB reports, I have seen it," Justice Kaurav said.

In 2023, the Centre had cancelled the OCI card of the 82-year-old British-Indian writer and journalist, accusing her of involvement in “multiple anti-India activities" and “detrimental propaganda".

She challenged the decision before the Delhi HC, arguing that the cancellation was illegal, arbitrary and made without proper application of mind. In response, the HC had issued notice to the government in May 2023.

Bar and Bench quoted Wilson’s lawyer, senior advocate Trideep Pais stating that initially, the government referred to a tweet of hers and one article on the farmers’ protest and another on Kashmir, but they are not the basis on which the show cause notice was issued to her. He added that none of Wilson’s work were anti-India.

However, Central Government Standing Counsel (CGSC) Nidhi Raman said there were some inputs from the intelligence agencies on Wilson and they have been handed over to the Court in a sealed envelope.

After examining the sealed cover report, the Bench noted that the allegations against Wilson were serious. It directed Wilson and the government to file their submissions in the case on the next date for the hearing, August 27.

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