SC: Petition of American citizen rejected in the apex court, had talked about persecution on returning to the US

The apex court has rejected the petition of American citizen Claude David Convis seeking asylum in India. In fact, Claude David had filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking asylum in India on the basis of 'possible persecution in America'. He had said in the petition that if he returned to his country, he might be persecuted. However, the apex court rejected David's petition.

The Supreme Court had already requested that the central government respond to Claude David's appeal. The petitioner claimed to be a devotee of spiritual guru Shri Mata Anandmayi. The petitioner says that he has discovered an alternative to petroleum and cannot return to America because he will be punished there. Following this, the vacation bench of Justice Arvind Kumar and Sandeep Mehta directed Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Vikramjit Banerjee to acquire directions from the Central Government and notify them. During that time, the court had scheduled the case for June 10. David's visa expires at midnight on May 13, 2024.

During the last hearing, Claude David had told the bench that he had already applied to the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs in this matter. But, no response was received from both the ministries. Claude David is currently living in Thiruvananthapuram.