Two British doctors are currently in an Indian jail after their impromptu decision to cross the border from Nepal into India led to their arrest. The pair, identified as Dr. Hassan Amman Saleem, 35, and Dr. Sumitra Shakeel Olivia, 61, were part of a medical mission in Nepal when they decided to take a stroll across the border. Their curiosity, however, landed them in hot water as they did not possess the necessary visas to enter India.
The incident occurred at the Rupaideha border in the Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh. Security forces, already on high alert following a recent car explosion in Delhi, detained the doctors for questioning. According to officials, Dr. Saleem, a British citizen of Pakistani origin residing in Manchester, and Dr. Olivia, originally from Udupi, Karnataka, but currently living in Gloucester, were unable to provide a valid reason for entering India without the required documentation.
Ganga Singh Udawat, Commandant of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), stated that while the border is open to Indian and Nepalese citizens, foreign nationals are required to have valid visas for both countries. He confirmed that the doctors did not have the necessary Indian visas and were subsequently handed over to the Rupaideha police for further action. A case has been registered against them under the Passport Act of 1967, which governs travel documentation and immigration offenses in India.
According to Neil Weir, founder of the Britain Nepal Otology Service (Brinos), the organization with which the doctors were volunteering, the pair had ventured to the border out of "pure curiosity" during their free time. He added that Dr. Olivia was particularly "keen to put a foot in India" despite warnings from Nepalese authorities not to cross. Dr. Saleem, a technical audiology instructor at De Montfort University, had described his trip to Nepal as "eye-opening" in a LinkedIn post, reflecting on the challenges faced by local healthcare services. Dr. Olivia is a clinical lead in paediatric audiology at the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.
While Dr. Olivia has family in India, officials stated that she does not possess an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, a long-term visa available to people of Indian origin, and therefore required a standard visa to enter the country.
The UK Foreign Office has acknowledged the situation, stating that they are providing support to the detained British nationals and are in contact with local authorities. It remains unclear whether the doctors will face formal charges or be deported back to the United Kingdom after their identities and the purpose of their travel have been verified.
The incident highlights the strict border control measures in place along the India-Nepal border, particularly in light of heightened security concerns. Legal experts emphasize that even for humanitarian or medical missions, foreign nationals must obtain valid visas before entering India. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to immigration regulations, even when driven by seemingly harmless curiosity.
