Grant visa to Reza Borhani, HC orders

Mumbai, Jan 23 (UNI) The Bombay High Court today directed the government authorities to give an Indian visa to Reza Borhani, Australian husband of former model Tora Borhani.

A Division bench comprising acting Chief Justice H L Gokhale and V M Kanade said the fact that Reza had been earlier black-listed by the authorities--for a minor violation of visa condition in the past -- must not come in the way of his getting an employment visa to India in future.

Tora filed a writ petition in the Bombay High Court, alleging that authorities were unduly blocking her husband's application for visa as well as for the status of person of Indian origin'.

However, as regards PIO status, the government told the court that persons born in Iran, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are not eligible for the status of PIO.

Tora married Reza Borhani, an Iranian-born Australian citizen, in 2004. Reza had been to India in 2003, and during this visit, he was black-listed by Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) for violating visa conditions.

Reza had visa only for Chennai, but he allegedly moved out of the city limits, according to FRRO.

After the marriage, when he sought visa to visit India, he got it for the period between August 30, 2006 to November 30, 2006. But during the stay here, when he applied for visa extension and certificate as Person of Indian Origin -- by virtue of being married to an Indian citizen -- FRRO rejected the same on the date of visa expiry, i.e. November 30.

UNI