Authorities at Gaya Airport detained twelve Cambodian nationals who arrived on a chartered flight from Cambodia after they were found without proper visas during immigration checks. The aircraft, carrying around 150 passengers including seven women and several Buddhist monks, landed in Gaya on Thursday as part of a newly launched charter service between the two destinations.
Airport officials initiated routine verification immediately after the flight landed. During this process, they discovered that a dozen passengers did not possess valid Indian visas.
Their travel documents were seized for detailed examination, while the chartered plane departed back to Cambodia after offloading the passengers.
Sources said the detained travellers were questioned through the night and asked to provide written statements. They informed officials that although they had applied for visas, they had not received formal approval before boarding the flight.
Despite this, they continued with their journey and reached India without the required documentation, prompting authorities to intervene.
Awdhesh Kumar, Acting Director of Gaya Airport, said that twelve passengers were taken into custody for lacking valid papers and that an inquiry is underway.
Bodh Gaya, a revered Buddhist pilgrimage centre attracting international devotees year-round, was the intended destination for many in the group, including the detained Cambodian visitors who had arrived to offer prayers.
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