Three more Omanis detained over child marriage in India

Energy Monday 25/September/2017 21:40 PM
By: Times News Service
Three more Omanis detained over child marriage in India

Muscat: Three more Omanis have been detained by Indian police for a probe into underage marriages while seven other Omani nationals have had their passports seized, according to the officials.
Read here: Omanis arrested in India could learn their fate
Last week, the Indian police arrested five Omani nationals in “relation to minor marriages.”
An official from the Oman consulate in Mumbai confirmed that three more Omanis were detained in Hyderabad on Sunday.
“After these men were detained, we have written to the Indian authorities asking for a report detailing all the eight Omanis, who were involved in the case, their full names, did they come to get married or are they already married. Because if they came to get married, it could be that they had no intent to marry a minor, and so we have asked for more details,” the official told the Times of Oman on Monday.
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Their detention was also confirmed by the Indian police. “We have not arrested, but detained three more Omani nationals in this case,” Satyanarayana, deputy commissioner of Police (South Zone), said.
An official from the Oman consulate in Mumbai added: “We are still waiting on information regarding the five Omanis that were arrested last week.”
He also disclosed that seven other Omanis had their passports taken away by the Indian police.
“It was then that we asked the Omani nationals not to visit Falaknuma near Hyderabad in India,” he said. “This is because the Indian authorities have tightened the procedures for Omani nationals in that region.
“But hopefully, things will be resolved within the next few days.” the official added.
“Initially, there were 12 Omanis arrested, seven were pardoned and allowed to return to their hotels, but the authorities confiscated their passports, and five were kept in custody, and they added three more Omanis yesterday.”
“We are working hard to try and solve these issues as fast as possible, but we urge the public again to avoid going to Hyderabad unless extremely necessary, until this calms down,” he said.
Speaking to the Times of Oman, Satyanarayana, said: “The five Omanis were produced in the Metropolitan Judicial Magistrate court on Monday.
“But the judge has deferred the case until Tuesday.”
“We are ready to welcome all Omani nationals for tourism, education, business and health purposes. But marrying girls below 18 is a crime in India. We need to convey this message to Omani nationals, who come here to get married,” he told the Times of Oman. He further said 12 minors girls were also rescued. “We are looking for some more people (involved) in this racket.”