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The Karnataka High Court has directed authorities to deport two Nigerian nationals who allegedly remained in India for more than ten years without valid visas.
In a ruling delivered on Thursday, the court instructed the Foreigners Regional Registration Office, FRRO, to initiate the deportation of Emeka Iwoba, also known as Austin Noso Iwoba, and Uderike Fidelis.
The two men were arrested in 2024 by police in Bengaluru over allegations of trafficking narcotics, including the synthetic drug 3,4‑Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and cocaine.
During the legal proceedings, they argued that law enforcement officials did not properly inform them of the reasons for their arrest.
In its judgment, the court ordered their release from custody, stressing that the constitutional safeguard requiring authorities to disclose the grounds of arrest is mandatory.
“The requirement is a fundamental constitutional safeguard and not merely a procedural formality,” the court stated, noting that the protection provided under Article 22 of the Constitution of India applies to everyone within the country’s jurisdiction, including foreign nationals.
According to the court, the constitutional guarantee is person-centric rather than citizen-centric, meaning it protects all individuals irrespective of nationality.
Following their release, the court directed the FRRO to proceed with their deportation in accordance with the government’s Standard Operating Procedure for withdrawal of prosecution.
