GILLES PFEIFFER Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The prayer made in this writ petition is to issue a writ of certiorari to quash the order No. 1348/RRO/94-3441 dated 1-11-1995 issued by the third respondent.

(2.) The petitioner states that he is a French citizen holding a French Passport bearing No. 395/89 issued at Pondicherry (French Consulate) on 12-5-89, renewed on 30-3-94 to be valid till 30-3-1999. He came to India in 1974 to involve himself in the Auroville project, the dream of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother who wanted to build an international community at Auroville based on the charter given by the Mother. Auroville aspires to be international township where men and women of all countries should be able to live in peace and harmony above all creeds, all politics and nationalities. The purpose of Auroville is to realise human unity. It was inaugurated (on 28-2-1968 in the presence and participation of 5,000 representatives from all over the world.

(3.) As on today almost 1000 people of at least 20 nationalities including Indians, French, Italian, Germans, Russian, British and Americans reside in Auroville, engaged in various activities including afforestation, development of alternative and low cost building technology, development of solar energy, meditation, yoga and other techniques for spiritual development. Auroville also emphasises alternative methods of community life where property cannot be owned and each resident must contribute in work, kind or money to the community and in turn expect to be looked after by the community for its basic needs.