Coll 28/39(2) ‘Persia. Printed Correspondence, 1937–’ [‎44r] (87/320)

19th August 1935 or Article 983 of the Iranian Civil Code forwarded under cover
of your endorsement No. 891 of 27th May 1935. I understand that “ sijjils ” can
be purchased from the police clerk for a few Tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. . They did not surrender
their British Passports or report their renunciation of British Nationality to this
Vice-Consulate, nor did the Iranian Authorities make such a report.
3. Several of these men are now due for discharge and naturally want to re
turn to their homes. Two problems have arisen. Firstly, on account of the Foreign
Exchange restrictions, Messrs, the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, Ltd., are unable to
give gratuities, back pay, etc. in rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. to men on “ Iranian Contracts ”. Second
ly, the local passport authorities refuse to give them Iranian Passports.
4. At my suggestion, Messrs, the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, Limited, are
considering paying them the portion of their settlement money due for their time
on Indian Contracts in rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. on arrival in Bombay, and the balance in rials.
Messrs, the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, Limited, can be relied upon to do all in their
power to help their employees, even after discharge. This question, too, is of little
importance unless the men return to India.
5. When the men apply to me to give them travel facilities to return to India,
there are two courses open to me. One may take the view that the man volun
tarily renounced his British Nationality in order to keep his employment, and has
benefitted thereby. He should, therefore, take the consequences of his action
and remain an Iranian subject. On the other hand there is little doubt that a
certain number were advised by their European superiors to take out sijjils to save
the Company losing skilled labour. Others, too, have followed this advice given
to their friends. It seems somewhat unjust that these British Indians should suffer
from taking the advice of their European superiors.
6. I have, therefore, taken the view that those men who were unquestionably
British Indian Subjects when they came to Iran, are still British Subjects unless
they have carried out the Regulations governing the Law of Iranian Nationality
and Article 983 of the Iranian Civil Code. As their British Passports have not
been surrendered to me, and no notification of their Nationality has been given to
me by the Iranian Authorities and as they have made no valid declaration of aliena
tion in accordance with para. 13 of Chapter XXV of the Consular Instructions I
maintain that they have not renounced their British Nationality. If their British
Passports are still valid I make the usual entry for a single journey to India, and
in other cases issue Emergency Certificates. So far there have been 3 cases, and
up to date there has been no difficulty in obtaining police exit visas and
leaving the country.
7. I would request that I may be informed if my action is correct.
List of British Indians who have adopted Iranian Nationality.
1. Noor Afhan Ali Akbar ex Marks.
2. Sultan Mohamood.
3. Mohamed Ismail.
4. Sayed Latif Hussain.
5. Sayidipur Mohammed Bux.
6. R. K. RawaL
7. J. R. Banatwalla.
8. Sd. Mubarak Hussain.
9. S. B. H. Oscar.
10. Ali Khan.
11. Mulla Kassim.
12. Mahmood.
13. Sultan.
14. Mohamed Panah.
15. Sapai Khan.
16. Abdul Rahman.
MC184EAD
17. Mohamed.
18. Shah Sawar.
19. Noor Mohamed.
20. Abdullah.
21. Khial Khan.
22. Abdullah.
23. Abdullah.
24. Noor Mohamed.
25. Hussain.
26. Khonak (known
27. Sarwar Khan.
28. Yar Mohamed.
29. Ghulam Nabi.
30. Shah Bad.
31. Mohamed Israil.
32. Sadar Din.
Mur