New Delhi: Delhi High Court on Thursday quashed lookout circular issued against Greenpeace activist Priya Pillai. The court has directed authorities to expunge endorsements made while offloading Pillai from a flight to London by immigration officials on January 11.
Justice Rajiv Shakdher, while upholding her right to travel abroad, said Pillai has every right to hold a different opinion on development policies and this cannot be the sole ground to restrict her movement.
The judge, meanwhile, has not granted any compensation to Pillai saying she can ask for the same before an appropriate bench.
The high court had on February 19, reserved its judgement on Pillai's plea claiming that her right to freedom of speech and expression was being curtailed by an unlawful order of the executive.
Justifying the government's decision, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sanjay Jain had said that her visit to London was a serious threat to the nation and the speech she was going to make there is against the nation and had "potential for mischief" against India's economic interests.
He had said that the travel tickets financed in her name were from an organisation which is on the watch list of the
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
The ASG had claimed that diplomatic relations were "fluctuating" and existing good relations were no guarantee against "something undesirable" later.
The high court had earlier expressed concern over Pillai not being allowed to visit London, saying government has to draw a line between "nationalism and jingoism".
The court had said the government decision was not appropriate as there are many people, who indulged in various anti-national activities, but were travelling abroad.
(With inputs from PTI)
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