India deports Jewish writer connected to Islamist groups

 Controversial British-born Jewish writer Susan Nathan was deported to Israel by the district authorities following a Kerala High Court ruling, officials said.

The high court issued an order on March 16 for the deportation of 63-year-old Nathan, after the state government informed the court that she had connections with banned Islamic outfits like Students Islamic Movement of India and the National Development Front. Nathan, the author of 'The Other Side of Israel,' has, however, denied the charge.

The sexagenarian was also associated with the pain and palliative centre at the Medical College and has been living in Kozhikode since 2009. The district administration carried out the deportation order after her 'X-Visa' expired on February 21, while she was contesting the high court order for deportation in the Supreme Court.

Nathan’s advocate Manjeri Sunder Raj said she would continue her legal battle for residing in Kozhikode. A case was registered against the author on February 27 for violating provisions of the Foreigners' Act by overstaying.

Police took Nathan from her rented house in West Hill on April 18, and sent her to Mumbai from where she was being taken to her homeland, sources said.