London-based scholar denied entry into India

New Delhi, Oct 22: London-based Hindi scholar Francesca Orsini was denied entry into India and deported from Delhi airport.

According to a senior government official, as quoted by The Hindu, Orsini, an Italian national and Professor Emerita at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), London, was placed on an immigration blacklist in March 2025 for allegedly violating visa conditions.

Orsini held a valid five-year tourist e-visa and arrived in India via Hong Kong after attending a conference in China.

Officials said she had earlier travelled to India on a tourist visa and participated in academic activities, which constituted a visa violation.