Delhi High Court has recalled its earlier order by which it had quashed the Central government decision to reject The Wire founding editor Siddharth Varadarajan’s application for an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card.
The court also questioned Varadarajan for failing to disclose an Allahabad High Court order that restrains him from leaving the country without its permission.
Varadarajan had sought conversion of his Person of Indian Origin (PIO) status to OCI since the PIO scheme no longer exists and has been merged with OCI which was rejected by the Centre government.
Varadarajan’s counsel apologised for the mistake but the Court came down hard on them for suppressing the conditions in his bail order by Allahabad High Court.
#Breaking
— Bar and Bench (@barandbench) May 14, 2026
"This will entail very serious consequences."
Delhi High Court pulls up The Wire's Siddharth Varadarajan for "suppressing" an Allahabad HC order which restrained him from leaving the country without permission. The Court was today hearing Varadarajan's plea to travel… pic.twitter.com/K73i2R08H0
Noting the serious nature of the matter, the Court said, “It is the petitioner’s bail application. The conditions have not been pointed out to this court. We have to dismiss your writ petition. Some action is required to be taken… I will consider the apology [by Senior Advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan who appeared for Varadarajan]… I can only accept your apology till not taking any action, but he does not deserve any relief from the court because of suppression.”
The court has sought an explanation from Varadarajan within a week’s time for the missing affidavit.
