The Supreme Court has rejected a plea from US citizen Claude David Convis for asylum in India, citing his concerns about potential persecution if he were to return to his home country.
The vacation bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, declined Convis’ plea, noting that the US has its own judicial system capable of addressing his apprehensions. Convis, who asserted to have devised an alternative to petroleum, had sought asylum through his petition, which the bench dismissed.
“We are not here to address your concerns. Your government will handle that. The US has its own legal recourse,” remarked the bench while dismissing Convis’ petition, who expressed his fears of being “cornered” if he were to leave India.
Additional Solicitor General Vikramjit Banerjee, tasked with consulting the Centre on the matter, informed the bench that Convis’ visa was due to expire on December 9, 2024.
Inquiring whether Convis faced any prosecution, the bench received a negative response. Dismissing the plea, the bench reiterated that the US administration would address his concerns.
