(1) Alien enemies residing in India with the permission of the Central Government, and alien friends, may sue in any Court otherwise competent to try the suit, as if they were citizens of India, but alien enemies residing in India without such permission, or residing in a foreign country, shall not sue in any such Court.
Explanation.— Every person residing in a foreign country, the Government of which is at war with India, and carrying on business in that country without a licence in that behalf granted by the Central Government, shall, for the purpose of the sub-section, be deemed to be an alien enemy residing in a foreign country.
Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 83
Section 83 regulates suits by alien friends and alien enemies, establishing that alien friends may sue as if they were citizens of India, while alien enemies residing in India can sue only with the permission of the Central Government.
Foreign companies incorporated in friendly nations can sue Indian debtors in civil court under Section 83 as alien friends without requiring special central licenses.