A court in Uttar Pradesh has sentenced two British nationals to six months’ imprisonment for illegally entering India from Nepal without valid documentation. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on each of the convicts, with an additional three months’ imprisonment for non-payment. However, the court granted them bail upon sentencing, allowing them to remain in the country during the appeal period.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the two individuals, identified as Hassan Amman Saleem, 35, and Sumitra Shakeel Olivia, 61, were apprehended in November last year at the Rupaideha border crossing between India and Nepal. They were found to be in possession of invalid documents for entry into India.
Hassan Amman Saleem, originally from Gujranwala in Pakistan, is a resident of Manchester, United Kingdom, and reportedly works as a lecturer in audiology at De Montfort University. Sumitra Shakeel Olivia, originally from Udupi in Karnataka, later acquired British citizenship and resides in Gloucester, UK. She holds both a British passport and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card.
According to prosecution officer Nirmal Yadav, the pair had traveled from the UK to Nepal in November 2025 with the intention of participating in a charity program for hearing-impaired children at a medical college in Nepalgunj. They possessed valid visas for Nepal.
The incident occurred on November 15, 2025, when personnel from the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and the Uttar Pradesh Police intercepted them during a routine joint checking operation at the international border as they attempted to cross into India. Subsequent investigation revealed they lacked the necessary legal documents for entry into the country.
Following their arrest, the individuals were taken into custody under the relevant provisions of the Immigration Act and the Foreigners Act. After spending a period in jail, they were granted bail by the court, with the condition that they would not depart from the country. Throughout the trial period, they reportedly attended court hearings regularly, residing primarily in hotels in Bahraich district.
The court’s decision was based on the evidence presented and the circumstances of the case. Chief Judicial Magistrate Pratibha Chowdhry stated that punishment for illegal entry is essential to uphold compliance with immigration laws. The sentencing underscores the legal framework governing border crossings and the consequences for individuals found to be in violation of these regulations.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
