Why is highly qualified Indian historian facing deportation from UK ?
PTC News Desk: A highly qualified Indian historian Manikarnika Dutta, 37 from the University of Oxford has been threatened deportation by UK Home office because she spent too much time in her home country researching archives.
Manikarnika is a high-achieving historian whose work requires studying archives in Indian cities and attending series of overseas trip and international leaves as part of her academic work.
She is an assistant professor at University College Dublin, in the school of history.
Why is Manikarnia facing deportation ?
The Home Office rules state that people who apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK based on long residency of 10 years or more can remain abroad for a maximum of 548 days during a 10-year period prior to applying for the leave.
Indefinite Leave To Remain (ILR) is an immigration status in Britain that allows individuals to live, work, and study without any time restrictions. It is also referred to as “settlement" and serves as a pathway to British citizenship. However, according to the reports, Dutta has remained outside UK for a total of 691 days, exceeding the required limit subsequently Home office rejecting her right to continue living in the United Kingdoms.
Manikarnika's lawyer has emphasised that her trips to India were essential for completion of her thesis and fulfill academic obligations.
Dutta arrived in UK on student visa in September 2012 and later she acquired spouse visa. Earlier she had applied for indefinite leave to remain in the UK in October last year, based on long residence. Her husband’s application was approved, but hers was declined. Upon applying for administrative review, the Home office maintained that if she doesn't leave voluntarily, she is likely to face a re-entry ban of 10 years and prosecution for overstaying.
- With inputs from agencies
