Devbhumi Dwarka: The Special Operations Group (SOG) of the police has arrested a Syrian national for staying in the country without a valid visa. According to officials, his local partner has also been taken into custody.

Amid heightened security checks following the Delhi car blast, the police received a tip-off about an English-speaking foreigner staying at a school in Dharampur village near Khambhalia. Acting on the information, the police detained 29-year-old Ali Kamel Mehboob from Jableh, Syria, along with his 33-year-old Indian partner earlier this week. After interrogation, both were formally arrested. The Syrian national was working at the school, which was being run by the other accused, Mahi Kanjaria alias Mahipatbhai, police said.

During the operation, authorities seized three Syrian passports and an expired student visa issued for studies at the Marwadi Education Foundation in Rajkot. The visa had last been renewed online until July 5, 2023. Police grew suspicious as the accused not only lacked a valid visa but also presented a UNHCR refugee card.

According to police, he admitted during interrogation that he arrived in India in 2019 on a student visa, completed his course in 2023, and later went to Chittorgarh seeking admission for higher studies. However, he was unable to secure admission due to the absence of a valid visa. Instead of returning to Syria, he moved to Khambhalia.

Police said a case has been registered against both under the Foreigners Act and further investigation is underway. DeshGujarat