The Madras High Court has upheld the Union government’s order cancelling the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) registration of John Daniel, citing unauthorised religious preaching in India.
According to the case records, Daniel is associated with a US-based organisation, “Laymen’s Evangelical Fellowship International”. The Centre cancelled his OCI status on the allegation that he carried out religious प्रचार activities in India without obtaining prior approval.
Daniel approached the High Court seeking to set aside the cancellation. He told the court that he had come to India only to meet relatives in Chennai and that he had not taken part in any religious preaching.
Hearing the matter, Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy noted the Centre’s submission that Daniel had engaged in preaching during visits to Andhra Pradesh in 2018–19, and that supporting materials were produced.
The court held that the Citizenship Act requires prior permission from the Union government for religious preaching, and found that Daniel had undertaken such activities without approval. It therefore ruled that the cancellation of his OCI registration was valid, while observing that he could apply for a regular visa to visit India to meet his mother.
