HC Deb 24 November 2000 vol 357 c350W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what(a) discussions (i) he and (ii) officials from his Department had with and (b) information was received from (A) the Indian police force and (B) other sources concerning investigations being undertaken by the Indian Police into allegations concerning Srichand Hinduja (1) before he decided to grant him citizenship and (2) subsequent to his decision. [140308]

Mrs. Roche

No discussions were held with the Indian authorities or other sources before Mr. Hinduja's application was determined. Inquiries were made as to whether any charges had been brought concerning the allegations which had been made against him nearly 10 years earlier. No charges had been brought against Mr. Hinduja at the time of the decision, nor are we aware of any being made subsequently.

Once citizenship has been granted to an applicant we do not normally make inquiries regarding the individual unless he or she has been convicted of a criminal offence within five years of the grant of citizenship, or if it is alleged that false information was supplied, or relevant information withheld, concerning the application.

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