Following the unfortunate incident with me at the New Delhi International Airport on January 11, I have filed a writ petition in the High Court of Delhi challenging the illegal and arbitrary nature in which I was ‘offloaded’ on my trip to the UK.

I was on my way to address the British parliamentarians about the blatant humans and forest rights violations done in Mahan region of Madhya Pradesh, by the wholly owned subsidiary of British registered company, Essar Energy, in the Mahan coal block.

The offloading is a violation of my fundamental right to personal liberty and freedom of speech and expression.

In the writ petition, I have challenged the alleged lookout circular issued in my name since there is no legal basis or reason for such a circular. There are no criminal convictions against me and I have not evaded arrest or trial in any case. The purpose of the lookout circular in my name remains unexplained as I have received no formal communication from the Ministry of Home Affairs on this matter.

I sincerely believe that my reputation and my work are being targeted by the respondents. I urge the Government of India to issue an appropriate order to expunge the endorsement ‘offload’ on my passport and also issue an order to set aside the lookout circular against me at the earliest.

Priya Pillai

Senior Campaigner,

Greenpeace India

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