KUCHING, Jan 23: Prominent lawyer Shankar Ram Asnani took on a good Samaritan role by helping six Indian nationals to pay for their fine after they failed to comply with their entry permits into Sarawak.
The six Indian nationals were Bharama Basavanni Alagundi (26), Narasimham Durru (25), Prasanth Nelli (23), Srinivasa Rao Busi (24), Sai Durgaprasad Mandala (25) and Shivam Kumar Yadav (25).
They were brought before Sibu Sessions Court Judge Caroline Bee Manjanil today for contravening Regulation 15(2) Immigration Regulations 1963 for failing to comply with the conditions of the landing pass issued to them.
All the accused were fined RM300 each in default of a prison sentence.
The said offence is punishable under Regulation 39(b), which carries a jail term up to six months and a fine not exceeding RM1,000, or both, if found guilty.
Upon witnessing the difficulty the Indians faced and their inability to pay the fine, which meant that they would have to face the jail term, Shankar from Thomas, Shankar Ram & Co. Advocates donated RM1,800 to pay for the fine of the six Indian nationals as an act of charity in order for them to return to their country.
During the proceeding, Shankar said, “Most unfortunate that these Indians are stranded here in Sarawak as I understand from them this morning they were misled by their agent in India, after I spoke to the accused.
“I pray for most lenient the court can grant and will assist them on humanitarian grounds.”
Following the sentencing and decision to help the six Indian nationals, he said: “Of course, sentence are meted out and a fine and I am helping them to pay the fine so that they can avoid the jail terms.”
The six Indian nationals will be deported back to their country soon, he added. — DayakDaily
