A successful academic is facing deportation from the UK due to the Home Office’s claim that she spent too many days conducting research in India. Manikarnika Dutta, a historian, was conducting research as part of her commitment to the University of Oxford. The Home Office’s rules state that individuals who apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK based on residency of 10 years or more can be abroad for a maximum of 548 days during that period. However, Dutta exceeded this limit by 691 days. Other academics have faced similar issues with the Home Office regarding the amount of time they spend abroad.
Apart from rejecting Dutta’s right to continue living in the UK based on the number of days she spent abroad, the Home Office also rejected her claim for remaining in the country due to lack of a family life in Britain. Despite being married to her husband for over 10 years and living together in south London, the Home Office didn’t consider this as a valid reason.
Dutta is currently an assistant professor at University College Dublin and has previously conducted research at the universities of Oxford and Bristol. Her husband, Dr Souvik Naha, is a senior lecturer in imperial and post-colonial history at the University of Glasgow. Dutta expressed her shock and disbelief at the Home Office’s decision, considering her long history of employment and residence in the UK.
According to Dutta’s lawyer, Naga Kandiah, the research trips she took were essential for fulfilling her academic and institutional obligations. These trips were necessary to complete her thesis, meet academic requirements, and maintain her visa status. Dutta first came to the UK in September 2012 on a student visa and later obtained a spouse visa as a dependent of her husband, who had obtained a visa on a “global talent” route.
In October last year, Dutta applied for indefinite leave to remain in the UK based on long residence, along with her husband. While his application was granted, hers was refused. Dutta sought an administrative review of the refusal, but the Home Office maintained its decision to reject her application.
The review concluded that Dutta must leave the United Kingdom and may face a re-entry ban of 10 years and prosecution for overstaying if she doesn’t leave voluntarily. Dutta has received support from academic colleagues who are also concerned about the Home Office’s decision. Her husband, Naha, expressed the stress and psychological toll this decision has taken on them.
Kandiah is challenging the Home Office’s decision legally, and the Home Office has responded by stating that they will reconsider their decision within the next three months. However, Dutta is currently in limbo, awaiting the final outcome. Kandiah emphasized that such cases undermine the UK’s reputation in attracting and retaining global academic talent, particularly at a time when strengthening international relations is crucial. The Home Office declined to comment on the case.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/mar/16/oxford-historian-deportation-india-manikarnika-dutta-home-office
