Neetu Singh returns to Film and Television Institute of India

Neetu Singh, the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) student who was deported in December 2009, returned to the Institute to complete the final parts of her editing course.

Kiran Moghe, State president of the All India Democratic Women's Association said that Neetu had returned safely to the FTII campus and has started pursuing her course.

"She returned without any difficulty at the Mumbai airport," said Moghe. Neetu, who had also gone into depression after her deportation, is reported to be in much better health and happy to be allowed to return to her studies.

Neetu, a final year student of the editing course at the FTII, was deported on December 5 last year. The students of FTII and AIDWA had strongly taken up Neetu's case alleging that the deportation was a result of the strong political connections of her husband Amresh Singh, with whom she did not get along well.

FTII director Pankaj Rag confirmed that Neetu had returned to the Institute on Sunday night. "Neetu will be completing her diploma film with the same team of students as per schedule," he said.

In January, the State government revoked Neetu's deportation on several conditions that would have put her under virtual house arrest. However, when the AIDWA objected to these conditions and intervened, the all conditions--except that she would not interact with the media--were withdrawn by the State government.

A student, on condition of anonymity said that Neetu's fellow students were very happy to have her back on campus to complete her studies and that she will be starting work on her film in a few days. Neetu could not be contacted for her comment.