US Citizen Detained at Chennai Airport for Illegal Voting
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
A 64-year-old American citizen was stopped at Chennai International Airport last Friday night for reportedly voting illegally in the recent Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. This marks the 18th arrest of a foreign national for the same offense.
The traveler, identified as Kishore, lives in KK Nagar, Chennai, and was planning to catch an Emirates flight to the US via Dubai at around 10:00 PM. During a routine check at immigration, officials noticed a telltale mark of indelible ink on his left index finger.
When questioned by immigration officials, Kishore admitted to voting in the Virugambakkam constituency of Chennai. According to Indian law, individuals with foreign passports cannot vote in Indian elections due to the country’s prohibition against dual citizenship.
Following this discovery, Kishore’s travel plans were canceled. He was taken into custody at the airport and handed over to the Chennai Central Crime Branch (CCB) for further action.
This arrest is part of a larger crackdown by the Election Commission of India (ECI). The elections for 234 assembly seats in Tamil Nadu were held on April 23. The ECI had received reports that many Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) with foreign citizenship were returning to India to vote illegally.
In response to this information, the ECI had instructed airport immigration officials at major international hubs like Chennai and Madurai to closely check the fingers of foreign citizens of Indian origin leaving the country.
With Kishore’s detention, the total number of foreign citizens arrested for trying to vote illegally has now reached 18. This stricter enforcement has created significant anxiety among international travelers at Chennai Airport in recent days.
Officials from the Central Crime Branch have stated they will pursue legal action under the Representation of the People Act and the Indian Penal Code against anyone found violating citizenship and electoral laws.
