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An Indian couple’s asylum plea was denied by the Refugee Board of Canada and its decision is upheld by Federal court, citing doubts over their pro-Khalistan claims.
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Last year, in February, the Refugee Board of Canada’s Refugee Appeal Division (RAD) denied an asylum request from an Indian couple in Canada. The couple challenged the decision in court, and now the court has also rejected their appeal.
As per a report by Hindustan Times, the Federal Court upheld the earlier decision, calling it “reasonable.” The couple requested asylum in Canada on the grounds that they would face persecution if they returned to their home country, India, due to their pro-Khalistan activity in Canada.
Federal Court Judge Benoit M. Duchesne passed a judgment on Monday and rejected their request. Prior to this, their request was also turned down by the Refugee Protection Division (RPD).
The principal applicant, 38-year-old Amandeep Singh, and the associate applicant, 32-year-old Kanwaldeep Kaur, arrived in Canada in June 2018 using a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). In the application submitted before the RPD, the couple claimed that they participated in the independent Khalistan movement and also attested photos to back their claim.
An excerpt of the judgment reads, “had become supporters of Khalistan during their time in Canada and will be persecuted as a result of their new political activities if they are returned to India. They adduced protest photos and Punjab Referendum Khalistan voter registration cards issued by Sikhs for Justice.”
The court further agreed with the RPD’s decision that stated the applicant’s “interest and participation in the independent Khalistan movement underscored a lack of genuineness in the movement itself.”
In conclusion, both RPD and RAD contested that the Indian Couple’s claim was “disingenuous and lacking good faith”. The Federal court supported their decision.
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
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