Kerala NIA court sentences 15 Sri Lankan nationals over illegal Canada migration attempt via Kollam

Kochi: A Special NIA Court in Kochi has sentenced 15 Sri Lankan nationals to 15 days of simple imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹5,000 each after they attempted to illegally migrate to Canada by boarding a boat from Kollam.

Judge Hafees Mohammed of the Special Court for NIA Cases delivered the verdict after all 15 accused voluntarily entered guilty pleas to charges filed under the Foreigners Act.

The prosecution established that the individuals were staying across various Sri Lankan refugee and rehabilitation camps in Tamil Nadu, including facility locations in Puzhal (Chennai), Tiruchirappalli, Dindigul, Madurai and Tirunelveli.

Investigating agencies determined that the group departed their assigned camps without obtaining prior approval from local authorities, travelling outside their permitted boundaries to execute a coordinated plan to reach Canada.

Local police intercepted the group in 2023 at Vaaddy Harbour in Kollam as they attempted to board a vessel. The case was subsequently transferred to the Kochi unit of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which conducted a comprehensive probe and submitted its final report to the court.

During proceedings, the accused were represented by legal counsel and assisted by a Malayalam translator before choosing to plead guilty under relevant sections of the Foreigners Act.

Factoring in the nature of the infractions along with the duration the defendants had already spent in judicial custody throughout the legal proceedings, the court ordered 15 days of simple imprisonment alongside the monetary fine. An additional 15-day prison term will be enforced in default of fine payment.

The court further instructed that a official copy of the judgment be delivered to the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) in Thiruvananthapuram to initiate necessary administrative follow-ups.

PTI