Hillel Shapira, when contacted by DNA in Pune, said, “I am currently under detention at the Foreigners’ Registration Office (FRO). It is unfortunate that I have been treated this way by the Indian government. Once, it had invited me conduct business in this country. Now, it wants me thrown out.”
He added, “I have approached the Israeli high commission. It has taken the matter up with the ministry of home affairs. What hurts the most is that the government wants to throw me out at a time when I am very much settled in India and have established my health food business.”
Shapira said he had applied for extension of his business visa at least six times. “For three long years I had been waiting in vain for a reply from the home ministry. It only shows how indifferent the officials can be. Then one fine day, the concerned authorities asked me to leave the country without giving me any explanation whatsoever. I was left with no alternative but to move the Bombay High Court for justice. With me confined at the Pune FRO, my wife alone is doing the rounds at the court,” said Shapira. Nadeem Inamdar
