Muscat: Indian police officials have confirmed that the eight Omanis who were arrested last month are still in jail.
The Omanis were arrested by Indian police officers for allegedly marrying "underage girls".
"The eight Omanis are still in jail and the next hearing in court will come up next week," said DCP Satyanarayana, the deputy commissioner of Police (South Zone).
He also said that case is currently being heard at the Metropolitan Judicial Magistrate court in Hyderabad. "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. Omanis visiting in India also shouldn't fall under any illegal broker who promises these underage marriages," he told the Times of Oman.
Meanwhile the detention of the Omanis has also come under discussion by the Oman Human Rights Commission, whose Chairman met with the Ambassador of India to the Sultanate in Muscat on Tuesday.
Shaikh Abdullah bin Shuwain al Hosni, Chairman of Oman Human Rights Commission met with Indra Mani Pandey, to discuss the issue of the Omani citizens detained for violating the marriage law in India.
The chairman of Oman Human Rights Commission requested the Ambassador to assist in the swift release of the detained Omanis. The ambassador promised to do everything possible in accordance with the law of India.
The Oman Human Rights Commission also said it was in touch with the Sultanate's embassy in India and the consulate in Mumbai, as well as the citizens involved to resolve this issue.