Telangana High Court Directs Authorities to Find Legal Solution for Man's Three-Decade Stay
The Telangana High Court on Wednesday issued a directive to the state Home Department and passport authorities, urging them to clarify the legal remedies available for a 33-year-old man who has been living in Hyderabad for over three decades without an Indian passport or a long-term visa. The man, Syed Ali Hussain Razvi, is being treated as a Pakistani national by authorities, sparking a complex legal and humanitarian case.
Court Questions Legal Pathway for Razvi's Situation
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G M Mohiuddin heard an appeal filed by Razvi against a single judge's order that declined to interfere with authorities' actions. The authorities had compelled Razvi to apply for a long-term visa as per the Centre's guidelines issued on April 28, 2025. During the hearing, the bench posed a critical question: "What can be the way out for a person placed in his circumstances? First apply for a long-term visa and then apply for a passport?"
Advocate S Sridhar, representing Razvi, informed the court that Razvi was born in Hyderabad in 1992, at a time when his mother held an Indian passport. Razvi claims to have completed his education in Hyderabad and possesses several Indian identification documents, including an Aadhaar card, Voter ID, PAN card, driver's licence, and school leaving certificate. However, he has never applied for an Indian passport or a long-term visa, expressing a desire to continue living in India as an Indian citizen.
Police Investigation and Family Background
The Special Branch of the Hyderabad police, which handles cases involving Pakistani nationals, investigated Razvi's stay in India and deemed it illegal. According to submissions made in court, Razvi's mother, Gohar Fathima, originally an Indian citizen, married a Pakistani national and moved to Pakistan in 1991. Following alleged marital issues, she returned to India in 1994 with a Pakistani passport that listed Razvi's name as Imran Abid alias Imran Hussain, indicating his birth in Karachi.
Government Pleader Mahesh Raje, representing the Telangana Home Department, stated that if Razvi applies for a long-term visa, he cannot subsequently apply for an Indian passport. This legal conundrum prompted the bench to seek clearer instructions, adjourning the case for two weeks to allow authorities to propose a viable solution.
Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
Razvi initially approached the Telangana High Court with a writ petition, seeking protection from the Special Branch's repeated visits and coercion to apply for a long-term visa. He also requested the court to prevent any prosecution against him. The writ court declined to intervene, leading to the current appeal.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the court directed that passport authorities be added as respondents in the appeal. It further instructed Government Pleader Raje and Deputy Solicitor General of India N Bhujanga Rao to respond by the next hearing date, scheduled for February 24. The case highlights ongoing challenges in immigration and citizenship laws, particularly for individuals with cross-border familial ties.
