Photo Courtesy: nenews
Agartala: A Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate in Sabroom sentenced a 65-year-old Pakistani woman to two years of simple imprisonment. Louis Nighat Arther Bano, also known as Nigo or Nigat Bano, must also pay a fine of Rs 10,000. Failure to pay will result in one additional month of jail time. She is a resident of Sheikhupora district in Pakistan and the wife of Md. Gul Faraj.
Government Railway Police detained Bano at Sabroom Railway Station on October 11, 2025. Her movements appeared suspicious. She initially provided multiple false identities to officers. She eventually admitted she was a Pakistani national who lacked a valid passport or visa. Inspector Apu Das filed a chargesheet on January 31, 2026, under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Immigration (Passengers) Act, and the Foreigners Act.
Investigations revealed a history of criminal activity. Bano was arrested by Kathmandu Metropolitan Police on June 6, 2014, for drug trafficking. Authorities seized a large quantity of cocaine meant for transit from Pakistan to Nigeria. A Nepali court sentenced her to 15 years in prison. She escaped from a Kathmandu jail on September 10, 2025, during a period of unrest. Police claim she traveled through Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal to reach Tripura by the Kanchanjunga Express. She allegedly intended to cross into Bangladesh.
Police seized multiple mobile phone numbers from her during the investigation. The court found her guilty under Section 21 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act. The presiding magistrate delivered the judgment in connection with PRC (WP) 03/2026. The verdict reflects the court's stance on border security. Officials highlighted that the accused "travelled across several Indian states without valid documentation" before her capture.
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