Four Sri Lankans arrested in Tamil Nadu over alleged illegal entry

Four Sri Lankan nationals who allegedly travelled by boat to Tamil Nadu without legal clearance were arrested by Indian police on 24 October.

Investigations revealed that the four had travelled from Jaffna after paying an Indian boatman 110,000 Indian rupees to transport them to Tamil Nadu.

Police said the suspects were carrying four forged passports.

The four told investigators that they intended to travel to New Delhi and then continue to London.

They also claimed that another intermediary based in New Delhi had been expected to assist them with their onward journey to Britain.

Following their statements, Tamil Nadu Police launched an operation to locate and arrest the alleged intermediary.

The four Sri Lankans were produced before a court in Tamil Nadu, which granted police permission to detain and question them for seven days.

Investigations are continuing into the circumstances surrounding their journey, the forged travel documents and the individuals suspected of facilitating the trip.