Archive · 20 Nov 2025
British Doctors Detained at India-Nepal Border
Two British doctors volunteering in Nepal got arrested in India for accidentally walking into the country without the right papers.
They crossed the border between Nepal and India without knowing they needed special permission to enter India.
Now, they might have to go to court.
Indian authorities are checking if they have any connection to a recent bombing in Delhi, but haven't found any evidence yet.
Two British audiologists arrested at Rupaidiha border in Uttar Pradesh
Doctors crossed border from Nepal without valid Indian visas
They were volunteering with a charity in Nepal and crossed border during free time
Both doctors have been presented before a court under India's Passport Act
Indian authorities suspect link to Delhi blast, though no evidence provided
- Who
- Dr Hassan Amman Saleem (35, British citizen of Pakistani origin) and Dr Sumitra Shakeel Olivia (61, British-Indian citizen)
- What
- Crossed the India-Nepal border without valid Indian visas
- When
- Saturday, November 15
- Where
- Rupaidiha border in Uttar Pradesh, India
- Why
- To explore the border area out of curiosity (doctors' perspective); Without valid Indian visas, which is illegal (Indian authorities' perspective)
Doctors' Perspective
Indian Authorities' Perspective
Reason for crossing border
Doctors' Perspective
Out of curiosity during free time
Indian Authorities' Perspective
Without valid Indian visas, which is illegal
- Age of Dr Saleem
- 35
- Age of Dr Olivia
- 61
- Charity they were volunteering with
- Britain Nepal Otology Service (Brinos)
- City where incident occurred
- Rupaidiha
- Border they crossed
- India-Nepal border
- Date of arrest
- November 15
Sources
UK audiologists arrested in Nepal for accidental India crossing after ‘curious’ visit without visas
Stroll to a market across India-Nepal border lands two British doctors in UP jail
Two foreigners detained as India-Nepal boost border security
