Court rejects restrictions on Gurkhas

A British court struck down immigration restrictions placed on Gurkha veterans who served in the country’s armed forces, handing a significant victory to a group whose service dates back nearly 200 years.

The High Court ordered the government to draw up a new immigration policy for the Nepalese soldiers, who demanded the repeal of regulations that bar some of them from settling in Britain.

Gurkha soldiers outside the court broke into cheers, played bagpipes and waved green flags emblazoned with two crossed kukris, or bent Nepalese knives.

Gurkhas were not automatically allowed to settle in Britain until after 1997. And the government argued that some who retired before 1997 should have their cases reviewed.