Two British audiologists volunteering in Nepal were detained after walking across the open India–Nepal border into Uttar Pradesh without valid Indian visas. The volunteers, part of a Surrey-based charity team, were stopped at Rupaidiha and handed to local police after officers found no visa or special travel status. They remain in custody, face immigration charges and are due to appear in court, while the UK Foreign Office is providing consular support.
Caught 'Out of Curiosity': Two British Audiologists Detained After Crossing from Nepal into India
Two British audiologists volunteering in Nepal were detained after walking across the open India–Nepal border into Uttar Pradesh without valid Indian visas. The volunteers, part of a Surrey-based charity team, were stopped at Rupaidiha and handed to local police after officers found no visa or special travel status. They remain in custody, face immigration charges and are due to appear in court, while the UK Foreign Office is providing consular support.
02:32 PM, 11/17/2025Society
Two British audiologists detained after crossing open India–Nepal border
Two British audiologists volunteering in Nepal were detained after they crossed the open India–Nepal border on foot and entered Indian territory without valid visas, authorities said. The pair were stopped at the Rupaidiha crossing in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday amid tightened security following a recent explosion near Delhi's Red Fort.
Who they are
The volunteers were identified as Dr Sumitra Shakeel Olivia, 61, from Gloucester, and Dr Hassan Amman Saleem, 35, from Manchester. Both were part of a team from Britain Nepal Otology Service (Brinos), a Surrey-based charity that runs ear surgery and hearing-care programmes in Nepal. Dr Olivia is clinical lead in paediatric audiology at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital; Dr Saleem is a technical audiology instructor at De Montfort University.
What happened
According to Brinos founder Neil Weir, the pair left the medical team during their free time and drove to the border area in Nepalgunj at the invitation of a local hospital. They initially intended only to view the frontier from the Nepalese side, but Dr Olivia — who has family in Uddupi, Karnataka — was said to be curious to "put a foot in India" despite warnings from Nepalese officials not to cross.
Indian border guards say the two walked across the open border and were stopped at Rupaidiha. During document checks, officers found neither had a valid Indian visa or held an Overseas Citizen of India card or any special travel status that would allow entry without a visa. They were taken into custody and handed over to the Rupaidiha police station.
Ganga Singh Udawat, border guard commander: "During scrutiny of their documents, it was found that both were British nationals and did not possess a valid Indian visa. They failed to provide any satisfactory reason for their entry into India."
Responses and next steps
Neil Weir described the incident to The Times as driven by curiosity. Dr Saleem posted on LinkedIn that the trip had been "eye-opening," highlighting pressures on local health systems and large patient backlogs in Kathmandu. Neither doctor has publicly responded to the allegations.
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "We are supporting two British nationals detained in India and are in contact with the local authorities." Indian police have said formal charges for violating passport and immigration rules will be filed; potential outcomes may include fines, deportation or other penalties depending on the court's ruling. Both doctors remain in custody and are expected to appear before a court.
Context
Although India and Nepal share an open border allowing ease of movement for many residents, foreign nationals are required to carry valid visas when crossing between the two countries. The incident underscores the importance of adhering to immigration rules even in areas with traditionally relaxed local cross-border movement.