London: In a shocking development, Dr. Manikarnika Dutta, a highly accomplished historian and academic, faces deportation from the United Kingdom after the Home Office rejected her application for indefinite leave to remain (ILR). The rejection stems from her exceeding the permissible number of days spent abroad conducting essential research in India — a decision that has sparked widespread concern within the academic community.
Historian’s Research Trips Lead to Visa Rejection
Dr. Dutta, 37, currently an assistant professor at University College Dublin’s School of History, has lived in the UK for over 12 years. She first arrived in the UK in September 2012 on a student visa to pursue her master’s degree at the University of Oxford. She later transitioned to a spouse visa as a dependant of her husband, Dr. Souvik Naha, a senior lecturer in imperial and post-colonial history at the University of Glasgow.
Her academic work required her to conduct research in historical archives located in India and attend international conferences — commitments deemed essential for fulfilling her professional obligations. Under Home Office rules, applicants for indefinite leave to remain based on 10 years of long residency are allowed to spend a maximum of 548 days outside the UK during that period. However, Dutta’s research commitments led to her being abroad for 691 days, exceeding the limit by 143 days.
Home Office Rejects Application Despite Academic Necessity
Despite the professional nature of her trips, the Home Office rejected her ILR application, stating that the extended time abroad violated immigration guidelines. In addition, the Home Office ruled that Dutta did not have a “family life” in the UK, even though she and her husband have been married for over 10 years and live together in Welling, South London.
“I was shocked when I got an email saying I have to leave,” Dutta told The Observer. “I’ve lived here for a large part of my adult life. I never imagined something like this would happen to me.”
Legal Challenge Against the Home Office
Dutta’s lawyer, Naga Kandiah from MTC Solicitors, has launched a legal challenge against the Home Office’s decision. Kandiah argued that the research trips were not optional but essential for completing her academic work and maintaining her visa status.
“These research trips were not optional but essential to fulfilling her academic and institutional obligations. Had she not undertaken these trips, she would not have been able to complete her thesis or meet the academic requirements of her institutions,” Kandiah stated.
Dutta’s husband, Dr. Naha, expressed frustration over the Home Office’s decision. “This decision has been terribly stressful for both of us. It has taken a psychological toll. I sometimes give lectures about these issues and have read articles about people affected, but never thought it would happen to us,” he said.
Home Office Reconsideration Underway
In October last year, Dutta applied for indefinite leave to remain along with her husband. While his application was granted, hers was rejected. After an administrative review upheld the decision, the Home Office issued a letter stating:
“You must now leave the United Kingdom. If you don’t leave voluntarily, you may be subject to a re-entry ban of 10 years and prosecuted for overstaying.”
Following legal action, the Home Office has agreed to reconsider its decision within the next three months. However, the possibility remains that the Home Office could uphold the original decision, leaving Dutta in a state of uncertainty.
Impact on UK’s Global Academic Standing
Kandiah highlighted that the case reflects broader issues with the UK’s immigration policies toward academics and researchers.
“If the UK genuinely seeks to position itself as a global leader in academia and innovation, it must foster an environment that is welcoming to top talent. Without such an approach, UK universities will continue to lose highly skilled PhD researchers in whom they have invested years of resources, expertise, and funding,” Kandiah said.
The case has drawn significant attention from academic colleagues and institutions, raising concerns over how such decisions could deter international talent from contributing to the UK’s academic landscape.
A spokesperson for the Home Office stated: “It is longstanding government policy that we do not routinely comment on individual cases.”
As the academic community rallies around Dr. Dutta, the outcome of her legal challenge could have far-reaching implications for the UK’s ability to attract and retain global academic talent.
