American Journalist Raphael Satter files lawsuit against Modi govt over unilateral OCI cancellation
New Delhi: American journalist Raphael Satter has filed a lawsuit against the Indian government in Delhi court after his Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card was revoked following the publication of a critical report on a prominent Indian businessman.
According to Kashmir Media Service, The Guardian reported that in early December 2023, the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs accused Reuters’ cybersecurity journalist Raphael Satter of publishing content that tarnished India’s reputation. The Ministry later revoked his OCI status.
Satter had written a report titled “How an Indian Startup Hacked the World” about the Indian cybersecurity company Appin and its co-founder Rajat Khare. In the report, he stated that the company had become a “hack-for-hire powerhouse” stealing the secrets of politicians, military officials, and ashrams globally.
He stated that during his investigation into Appin’s activities, he received several threats, including warnings of diplomatic action if he did not cease reporting on the matter.
Raphael Satter added that the Indian government had not responded to his appeal despite more than a year passing, which forced him to pursue legal action. He expressed hope that the Indian court would deliver justice and that once the facts come to light, the Ministry of Home Affairs would restore his OCI status.
It is noteworthy that over the past decade, under the BJP government, more than a hundred journalists, including journalist Aatish Taseer, have had their OCI cards revoked for criticizing Prime Minister Modi in media reports.
