Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Yogesh Karan is awaiting details from the Fijian Embassy in India on the Fijians who fronted court in New Delhi on Wednesday.

The Fijians were charged for violating visa rules, violating government guidelines issued in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and regulations regarding the Epidemic Diseases Act, Disaster Management Act and prohibitory orders under Section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure.

Mr Karan said he was not in a good position to comment as he was yet to receive an update from the embassy.

The Fijians were charged among other foreigners from 20 different countries and had been granted bail.

It is alleged that the group of foreigners attended a congregation at the Tablighi Jamaat Markaz in New Delhi, violating government lockdown guidelines issued in the wake of the coronavirus disease outbreak. The Hindustan Times reported that the punishment for various offences under penal provisions ranges from six months to eight years of imprisonment.

The report added that the court heard that the foreigners blacklisted with their visa cancelled.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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