LUCKNOW: A local court in Maharajganj district on Uttar Pradesh on Friday sentenced 40-year-old American national Erik Daniel Beckwith to two years imprisonment for attempting to enter India with a tampered visa.
Beckwith has been in Maharaganj district jail since his arrest in March 2023. Government counsel Ramesh Chandra stated that Beckwith was found guilty under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections of 419 (cheating by impersonation), 420 (cheating and dishonesty), and the Foreigners’ Act.
Chandra further revealed that Beckwith’s bail application was rejected following the verdict and he was jailed.
Chandra said that immigration officials arrested Beckwith on March 29, 2023, at the Indo-Nepal border in Sonauli. “Upon inspection, it was discovered that Beckwith had altered his visa after it expired. He was subsequently taken into custody for questioning,” explained Chandra.
Investigation had revealed that Beckwith initially arrived in India on a tourist visa in June 2018. He later returned home after a brief stay and subsequently visited Nepal through the Sonauli border.
“Beckwith re-entered India in 2021 on another tourist visa. When it expired, he tampered with the document to extend his stay. He then resided with sadhus in Prayagraj and other locations. Recently, he learned about a saint residing in Nepal and claimed he was on his way to meet him when he was caught,” Chandra further elaborated.
Consequently, a case was registered against Beckwith at Sonauli police station under various sections of the IPC and the Foreigners’ Act. The chargesheet was filed in May, and six prosecution witnesses presented their testimonies in court.
Source : Times of India