Two British citizens got arrested in India over the weekend after they allegedly walked into the country from Nepal without valid Indian visas.
The incident took place at the Rupaidiha border in Uttar Pradesh, where authorities have tightened checks following a recent car blast in Delhi that killed 13 people earlier this month.
The two visitors, both audiologists on a medical mission in Nepal, were detained on Saturday by Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel and local police.
Ganga Singh Udawat, commandant of the SSB’s 42nd Battalion, said the pair had crossed the border on foot and were intercepted shortly after entering India.
The border allows free movement for Indian and Nepalese citizens, but foreign nationals must carry valid visas for both countries.“During scrutiny of their documents, it was found that both were British nationals and did not possess valid Indian visas,” the commandant told the PTI news agency.
“They failed to provide a satisfactory reason for their entry into India. They have been handed over to the Rupaideha police for further action.”
Who are the doctors?
The two were identified as Dr Hassan Amman Saleem, 35, a British citizen of Pakistani origin living in Manchester, and Dr Sumitra Shakeel Olivia, 61, originally from Udupi in India but currently living in Gloucester.
Dr Saleem works as a technical audiology instructor at De Montfort University. He described his trip to Nepal as “eye-opening,” writing on LinkedIn about the challenges faced by local healthcare systems, according to The Telegraph.
Dr Olivia is the clinical lead for paediatric audiology at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. Indian officials said she did not hold an Overseas Citizen of India card, which serves as a long-term visa for many people of Indian origin.
Without it, she needed a regular visa to enter India. She also has family in the country.
Both doctors were volunteering with Britain Nepal Otology Service (Brinos), a Surrey-based charity that provides ear surgery and hearing care in Nepal. They had travelled to Nepalgunj, a city close to the Indian border, after being invited by a local hospital.
Neil Weir, founder of Brinos, told The Times that the doctors had left their team during free time to explore the border area. He said “it was pure curiosity” that brought them there and added that Dr Olivia had been “keen to put a foot in India”* even though Nepalese authorities had advised them not to cross over.
After initial questioning, the Rupaideha police registered a case under India’s Passport Act, which governs immigration and travel document rules. Superintendent of Police Ramanayan Singh said the pair would be presented before a court.