New Delhi: The Centre has come out with an explanation for an Australian journalist's claim of the government's denial of her visa extension, calling it "not correct, misleading, and mischievous". The government said despite her visa rule violations, she was offered a visa extension, as reported by NDTV. However, there is no mention of what constituted her visa rule violation by the journalist.
Avani Dias, the South Asia Bureau Chief for Australian broadcaster ABC News, claimed in a social media post that she had to leave the country on Friday, April 19 after the Modi government refused a visa extension as her reporting ‘crossed a line’.
‘Last week, I had to leave India abruptly. The Modi Government told me my visa extension would be denied, saying my reporting 'crossed a line'. After Australian Government intervention, I got a mere two-month extension... less than 24 hours before our flight,’ Dias posted on Instagram.
She added that she and her partner had to leave on the day of voting and said: ‘We were also told my election accreditation would not come through because of an Indian Ministry directive.’
However, the government source was quoted as responding to her charges: ‘The contention of Avani Dias, South Asia correspondent of Australian Broadcasting Corporation, that she was not allowed to cover elections and was compelled to leave the country is not correct, misleading and mischievous.’
"Ms Dias was found to have violated visa rules while undertaking her professional pursuits. Despite this, at her request, she was assured that her visa would be extended for the coverage of the general elections. Her previous visa was valid till 20th April 2024," the source reportedly added.