Ramanathapuram court sentences Sri Lankan couple, Indian national to three years in jail over fake passports, terror links

A Ramanathapuram court has sentenced a Sri Lankan couple to two years imprisonment for illegally staying in the State, obtaining Indian passports through fake documents, and maintaining links with a terrorist organisation. An Indian national, who assisted them, was also sentenced to three years in prison.

Muhammad Yasir, 40, a resident of the Barcus area in the Nuwara Eliya district of Sri Lanka, and his wife Farika Rizmia, 35, arrived in India on passports and stayed at the house of Abdul Rashid, 55, at Enmanangondan village near Uchipuli in Ramanathapuram district.

Subsequently, with the help of Abdul Rashid, the Sri Lankan couple’s names were registered on the family ration card of his relative, Siddhi Sulaiha, through which they obtained a family ration card and an Aadhaar card.

Muhammad Yasir obtained six SIM cards in the name of Abdul Rashid’s relative. Following this, the Sri Lankan couple obtained Indian passports using fake documents.

Upon receiving information, the Ramanathapuram Q Branch police registered a case and arrested Muhammad Yasir, Farika Rizmia, Abdul Rashid, and Siddhi Sulaiha on December 27, 2021.

During the investigation, it was revealed that Abdul Rashid held Malaysian citizenship and operated a business there. He became acquainted with Muhammad Yasir, who worked at his company, and brought him to India.

It was discovered that he brought Muhammad Yasir to improve his business, housed them at his relative’s home, and helped the Sri Lankan couple obtain documents, including Aadhaar and passports. Muhammad Yasir had provided one of his Indian SIM cards to his friend, a Sri Lankan preacher named Muhammad Muplal.

It was revealed that Muhammad Muplal was staying in Karachi, Pakistan, and was in contact with a terrorist organisation.

The trial for this case was held at the Ramanathapuram Principal District Sessions Court. In this case, Principal District Judge Mehaboob Ali Khan delivered the verdict, sentencing the Sri Lankan couple, Muhammad Yasir and Farika Rizmia — who, fraudulently obtained documents including Indian passports and had links with a terrorist organization — to two years of imprisonment and a fine of ₹5,000 each.

Abdul Rashid, who assisted them, was sentenced to three years of imprisonment and a fine of ₹15,000.