The High Court of Karnataka has dismissed a petition filed by a U.S. national who had challenged “leave India notice” issued under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, after he was found engaged in business and commercial activities even though he was issued only a tourist visa.
Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum, dismissing the petition filed by Joseph Ignazzio Zambuto, a 45-year-old American citizen, observed that the documentary evidence unequivocally established that the petitioner had violated visa conditions.
On e-tourist visa
The court noted that the petitioner initially entered India on August 1, 2025, on an e-tourist visa. However, during the subsistence of this visa, he allegedly engaged in commercial operations, including hiring personnel, disbursing salaries, entering contracts, and leasing premises, under the banner of “Etta Global Partners LLC”, a company registered in Puerto Rico, U.S.
The court, relying on official documents, refused to accept the petitioner’s contention that he went back on January 15, 2026, and returned to India on January 26 on a business visa as documents clearly showed that he was issued with e-visa and the passport endorsement described the nature of vist as “tourist visa”, not a business visa.
