Nagpur: District and sessions judge KH Thombre on Monday convicted a Bangladeshi couple for illegally residing in India and sentenced them to the period the husband and wife have already spent in jail.Mohammad Lahu Mohammad Ayub Sheikh and his wife were found guilty under Section 14-A(B) of the Foreigners Act, 1946, and Section 6 of the Passport (Entry into India) Rules, 1950.The court recorded that the woman had undergone imprisonment of 2 years, 5 months and 10 days, while her husband had served 2 years, 5 months and 8 days. Both were fined Rs10,000 each, with 15 days’ simple imprisonment in default. The sentences will run concurrently.Prison authorities were directed to send both accused to Bangladesh after they complete the sentence and pay the fine.The case stems from the detection branch raid on April 13, 2024, at a lodge on Itgaon Phata–Khaparkheda–Parseoni road under Parseoni police station limits after a tip-off about flesh trade.Probe showed the couple had entered and stayed in India without valid documents. A case was registered under the Foreigners Act, Passport Rules and relevant BNS sections.Public prosecutor Ram Anwane examined eight witnesses. Illegal residence was proved, but the court acquitted the couple of forgery. Prison authorities were directed to send both accused to Bangladesh after they complete the sentence and pay the fine.
