New Delhi: Australian journalist Avani Dias's contention that she was not allowed to cover the elections and was forced to leave India is not correct and misleading, official sources said on Tuesday.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation's South Asia correspondent, who left India on April 19, claimed on Tuesday that the Indian government refused to extend her visa because her reporting "crossed a line".
Sources said Dias was found to be violating visa rules during his business activities.
Despite this, on his request, he was assured that his visa would be extended for general election coverage, sources said, adding that his previous visa was valid till April 20.
"Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) South Asia correspondent Avani Dias' contention that she was not allowed to cover the elections and was forced to leave the country is not true, misleading and mischievous," a source said.
Sources said Dias paid the visa fee on April 18 and his visa was extended till the end of June the same day.
However, he decided to leave India on 20 April, stating that he had a valid visa at the time of departure and the extension of his visa had been approved.
Sources said that his statement about not being allowed to cover the elections is also factually incorrect.
He said all journalist visa holders are allowed to cover election activities outside the booth.
"Authorization letters are required only for access to polling stations and counting stations. However, these cannot be processed while the visa extension is under process," the source said.
"It is appropriate to note that the other ABC correspondents – Meghna Bali and So Patidar – have already received their letters," the source said.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation's South Asia correspondent, who left India on April 19, claimed on Tuesday that the Indian government refused to extend her visa because her reporting "crossed a line".
Sources said Dias was found to be violating visa rules during his business activities.
Despite this, on his request, he was assured that his visa would be extended for general election coverage, sources said, adding that his previous visa was valid till April 20.
"Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) South Asia correspondent Avani Dias' contention that she was not allowed to cover the elections and was forced to leave the country is not true, misleading and mischievous," a source said.
Sources said Dias paid the visa fee on April 18 and his visa was extended till the end of June the same day.
However, he decided to leave India on 20 April, stating that he had a valid visa at the time of departure and the extension of his visa had been approved.
Sources said that his statement about not being allowed to cover the elections is also factually incorrect.
He said all journalist visa holders are allowed to cover election activities outside the booth.
"Authorization letters are required only for access to polling stations and counting stations. However, these cannot be processed while the visa extension is under process," the source said.
"It is appropriate to note that the other ABC correspondents – Meghna Bali and So Patidar – have already received their letters," the source said.
