Dehradun, May 22 -- Uttarakhand High Court has directed the state government to clarify the reciprocal privileges enjoyed by Indian nationals in Nepal before ascertaining if Nepali citizens can settle in India without formal government permission. The order was passed by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta and Justice Subhash Upadhyay during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Nainital-based Pawan Jatav on Wednesday. The petitioner had alleged that many people of Nepali origin were residing in the state without valid permits or travel documents During the proceedings, the Additional Advocate General, appearing for the State, relied heavily on Article 7 of the 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship. The state counsel argued that under this specific provision, Nepali citizens are permitted to reside and settle in India. Article 7 of the treaty mandates that both governments agree to grant, on a reciprocal basis, the same privileges to each other's nationals regarding residence, property ownership, trade, commerce, and movement. However, the bench noted a gap in the state's submission, pointing out that the exact privileges currently extended to Indian nationals by the government of Nepal had not been disclosed. The HC order stated,"Thus the privileges which are to be extended to Nepali citizens in reciprocation are the same privileges which are being granted by Nepal to our citizens. It has not been disclosed that what privileges are being given to Indian nationals by Nepal which is necessary to ascertain whether Nepali citizens are entitled to settle in the country without any formal permission from the Government. Let the said aspect be clarified by filing a further affidavit. List after three weeks". The court has directed the state government to clarify this aspect by filing a supplementary affidavit....