It has been 13 years since Hillel Shapira, 50, an Israeli national, moved to India. Based in Pune, he set up a business called Dakini Health Foods, employing about two dozen people for production and processing of health food.
In April, Shapira was asked to leave India by the government after it rejected his application for extension of visa. His pleas to the government, seeking review of the “harsh” decision got no response. So, Shapira has now moved the Bombay High Court for respite.
The outcome of Shapira’s case will be keenly watched as in today’s global village several foreigners set up base in different countries. “How can a person, who has been living in this country legally and running a lawful business that provides employment to several Indians, be suddenly asked to leave without even being given a reason for his eviction?” asked Shapira’s lawyer, Manoj Mohite.
The Israeli got permission from the Reserve Bank of India in 1996 to set up his business. A month before his business visa expired in June 2006, Shapira applied for a five-year extension of visa. For three years, he heard nothing from the government.
On April 29, the foreigners’ registration officer (FRO) in Pune verbally told him that his application had been rejected and he should leave the country. Shapira immediately wrote a letter, stating that he had an established business in India with many responsibilities and obligations, and thus it was not possible for him to leave immediately.
On April 30, he got a letter from state home department, dated April 20, asking him to leave country by April 30. The letter did not explain why his application was rejected. Shapira sought a review of the decision to refuse him visa extension. On June 3, the FRO imposed restrictions on him not to move out of the FRO office in Pune till his departure from the country.
Assistant public prosecutor AS Gadkari told the court that Shapira’s application was rejected as he had allegedly tampered with his visa. However, the embassy at Bangkok, which had issued Shapira the visa, has not yet confirmed or denied the tampering charge.
The court has sought original records of Shapira’s case. The matter will be heard on June 25.
