In a strong observation during a deportation case, the Supreme Court of India on Monday said the country is not a "dharmashala" (free shelter) for accommodating refugees from across the globe while it is already grappling with a population of over 140 crore.

A bench comprising Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice K Vinod Chandran made the remark while dismissing a plea filed by a Sri Lankan national who sought to stay in India, fearing a threat to his life if deported back.

According to LiveLaw, the petitioner was arrested in 2015 for alleged links with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a proscribed terrorist organisation in India. He was convicted under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in 2018. His sentence was later reduced from 10 to 7 years by the Madras High Court, which also directed him to leave the country after completing his term.

Having served his sentence, the petitioner has been in a refugee camp for the past three years. In his plea to the apex court, he said he had entered India legally with a visa and that his wife and children were settled here. He urged the court to stay his deportation, citing life-threatening risks in Sri Lanka.

However, the Supreme Court dismissed his arguments, asserting, “Is India to host refugees from all over the world? We are struggling with 140 crore. This is not a dharmashala that we can entertain foreign nationals from all over.”

The court further stated that the petitioner, being a foreign national convicted under UAPA, could not claim protection under Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution. “What is your right to settle here?” the bench questioned, suggesting he consider relocating to another country if his return to Sri Lanka posed a threat.