Immigration officials insisted on Monday the order to expel Indian businessman Sathit Sehgal over his alleged involvement in anti-government activities was based on legal principles.
The reasons were explained to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)’s sub-committee on civil and political rights which was seeking justification for the expulsion order from the agencies involved in issuing it.
The NHRC had invited Centre of Maintaining Peace and Order director Chalerm Yubamrung to testify before the hearing but he turned down the invitation.
Immigration Division 1 Commander Pol Maj Gen Kissada Surachettapong and Deputy Commander Pol Col Chakrathip Stapimolsak went instead to provide information to the panel.
Pol Maj Gen Kissada told the NHRC the order to expel Mr Sehgal was based on a resolution by the Interior Ministry’s immigration committee on Feb 17.
Five of the committee’s nine members believed Mr Sehgal’s political activities violated the emergency decree. The businessman participated in the anti-government protesters’ campaign to shut down government offices.
The decision has been sent to Mr Chalerm for approval.
“If he signs the order, Mr Sehgal’s permanent residency will be withdrawn and officials will send him back to his home country,” said Pol Maj Gen Kissada.
Mr Sehgal will be on put on a blacklist for at least five years, he said.
However, he still can petition the Immigration Committee to ask for a review of its decision.
Mr Sehgal can also petition the Administration Court after the emergency decree is revoked.
Mr Sehgal’s lawyer claims his client was not given a chance to defend himself before the Immigration Committee. But according to the 1979 Immigration Act, the panel does not need to hear from the businessman, Pol Maj Gen Kissada said.
The Immigration Committee has withdrawn permanent residency from eight people using the same process since 2002.
“We’ve always enforced the law equally in each case,” he said.