Summary

My name is Peter Van Geit, born in Belgium, settled in India in 1998. Since 25 years India is my home, my life, work and my future are here. I’m the only son of my mom Irena Van Goethem, 92 years, who is suffering from stage 4 breast cancer. Her doctor told me that she has little time left and might die soon. My dad died 7 years ago and there is no one else to take care of her. I have been unable to visit her since 5 years as my passport was taken away in 2018 after the police blamed me for a natural forest fire in which several hikers died. I was granted anticipatory bail stating there is no evidence to blame me.

I filed a petition to the court requesting for emergency travel. Though the judicial process is time consuming, I have highest hope in India’s judiciary and am confident that justice will prevail. The Belgian consulate is unable to support my appeal. I am the only son and I just want to say goodbye to mom one last time... India is my home, I built my entire life here and have absolutely no interest in moving elsewhere. If you can vouch for my deep rootedness in India, if you consider it humane to bid farewell to a dying mother then please sign this petition to support my appeal.

Background (optional)

India is Home

My name is Peter Van Geit, born in a small village in Belgium. I came to India in 1998 to set up a small software team for CISCO. I fell in love with India, its warm people, natural beauty, colorful culture and vibrant energy and diversity. In 2008 I founded the Chennai Trekking Club, a non profit volunteer based platform that introduced thousands of youth into sports and outdoors. Over a decade CTC grew to 40 thousand members and was active in various sports, social and environmental activities. For 10 years we organized the Chennai Coastal Cleanup involving 100+ organizations and 10 thousand volunteers in removing tons of garbage from the beaches to create a positive change in society. 

Societal Engagement

In 2015 CTC rescued 130 people during the Chennai floods, distributed tonnes of relief materials, cleaned up the city, did rehabilitation efforts in 20 villages and built a school near Pulicat. We got personally recognised by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi. In 2018 CTC was instrumental in relief and rehabilitation during the Gaja cyclone building 200+ homes for the most affected and rebuilding a rural school. In recent years I started exploring and mapping the Indian Himalayas. Now I am teaching people how to independently hike in the Himalayas twice a year. 60 people from across the country have signed up for my next course in September. India is my home, my entire life is rooted here.

Unfortunate Incident

In March 2018 several hikers got caught into a natural forest fire near Kurangani (TN) and several (of my close friends) died. Even though I was not personally involved with this trek, an FIR was filed against me by the police who tried to arrest me for 5 weeks. I reached out to the Belgian consulate which was not ready to help. In May Justice G R Swaminathan granted me anticipatory bail stating "He appears to be a good Samaritan who is motivated by a genuine desire to serve the public at large. He has associated himself with various civic and sports activities. There is absolutely no prima facie material to point fingers at the petitioner in this case”. 

Mom is Dying

Since the past 5 years the legal case has been ongoing in the magistrate court of Bodi and I have fully cooperated with the proceedings. I have not been able to visit my 92 year old mother in Belgium since 2017. Dad died 7 years ago. I used to visit them every 6 months and mom used to cry whenever I returned back to India. Three years ago she was diagnosed with cancer and has undergone treatment since then. Recently, mom’s cancer became severe (Stage IV) and after a recent medical examination (June 2023) the doctor in Belgium diagnosed that she had little time left to live, urging me to see her before it is too late.

Appeal to bid Farewell

I filed a petition to the court requesting an exemption to travel abroad to see mom for one last time on her deathbed. Once again the Consulate of Belgium is unable to support me. Consular support would go a long way in supporting my petition. I highlighted my struggle in several newspapers in Belgium. My lawyer was able to help citizens from the UK, Germany, France and US through their respective embassies supporting emergency travel. At this moment I am hopeless in finding a way to bid goodbye to my dying mother. This is my appeal for your public support.