Two British volunteer doctors have been detained by Indian authorities after they allegedly entered the country from Nepal without the required visas.
The Border Crossing Incident
The two men, identified as Shakil Sumithra, 61, from Gloucester, and Hassan Saleem, 35, from Manchester, were volunteering with the Britain Nepal Otology Service (Brinos). This Surrey-based charity regularly organises 'ear camps' in Nepal to provide audiology services.
The arrest occurred at Rupaidiha, the principal border crossing between the two South Asian nations. According to reports, one of the doctors expressed a desire to simply 'put a foot in India' during a casual visit to the border area. Nepalese officials had reportedly warned them against attempting to cross.
Context and Complications
Neir Weil, the founder of Brinos, explained to the Times that the pair made the short, 15-minute journey to the border during their free time. He stated they did not inform their fellow volunteers of their intention to cross. 'They initially intended to look at the border from the Nepalese side,' Weil said. 'It was pure curiosity because they were so close to the border.'
The situation was heightened due to the heritage of the two individuals. Shakil Sumithra is of Indian heritage and still has family in the country, while Hassan Saleem is of Pakistani heritage. The latter detail particularly raised concerns with Indian security officials, given the long-standing tensions between India and Pakistan.
Legal Consequences and Official Response
Ganga Singh Udawat, the commandant of the border police force, confirmed that the two men did not possess valid Indian visas and 'failed to provide any satisfactory reason for their entry into India.'
The doctors were taken into custody at the Rupaidiha police station for further action. They have both been charged under the Indian Passport Act and are scheduled to appear before an Indian court at a later date.
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: 'We are supporting two British nationals detained in India and are in contact with the local authorities.'
This incident comes at a time of heightened security in India following a deadly car explosion near New Delhi's Red Fort last week, which killed at least eight people and injured many more, leading to increased border vigilance.
