Kochi, India - The Kerala High Court on Monday dismissed a writ appeal filed by a South African national challenging the Government of India order, directing deportation of a three-member family of foreigners for indulging in religious conversions in Kerala.
The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Rajeev Gupta and Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan ruled that the Foreigners Act did not provide for filing objections against the GOI order, issued under section 3(2)(c) of the Foreigners Act, on the basis of a report of the Ernakulam Rural Superintendent of Police, which was supported by adequate proof.
The petitioners, consisting of Pretorius Barend Johnes Pretenas of South Africa, his German wife Sylivia Christini Pretenas and their son Bjoren Pretorius of German nationality, were charged with indulging in conversion of tribals of Keerampara in Ernakulam district into Christianity.
While Pretenas filed an appeal against a single bench order, petitions were also filed on the behalf of the other two, and all the petitions were dismissed.