Prior intimation is not implied before OCI blacklisting or cancellation where sovereignty and security powers are exercised.

The Citizenship Act, 1955 does not imply a requirement of prior intimation before blacklisting an Overseas Citizen of India cardholder or cancelling OCI registration under section 7D. The Court noted that the Central Government may exercise this power for reasons linked to sovereignty, integrity, security, friendly relations with foreign countries, or the general public, and that such decisions may be communicated at arrival or through other appropriate means. A uniform rule requiring advance notice cannot be read into the statute or visa regime unless expressly provided. Observations suggesting otherwise were modified in favour of the appellant.

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Issues: Whether prior intimation is required before blacklisting an Overseas Citizen of India cardholder or cancelling registration under section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

Analysis: The appeal concerned the scope of the Central Government's power to blacklist a person or cancel OCI registration in the interests of sovereignty, integrity, security, friendly relations with foreign countries, or the general public. The Court held that neither the Citizenship Act, 1955 nor the visa regime creates any requirement of prior intimation in such matters. It further held that decisions taken for the protection of India's sovereignty and integrity may be communicated at the time of arrival or through other appropriate means, and that a uniform rule of advance notice cannot be insisted upon.

Conclusion: Prior intimation is not before blacklisting or cancelling OCI registration under section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955, and the observations to the contrary were modified in favour of the appellant.

Ratio Decidendi: Where the governing statute confers power to blacklist or cancel OCI registration for reasons connected with sovereignty, integrity, security or public interest, no implied requirement of prior notice can be read into the exercise of that power unless the statute expressly so provides.

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