Members of Parliament were also approached for support
A Leicester mother and her British child have been cleared to return home after becoming caught up in a police case during a family visit to Punjab, India.
Alka Rani travelled to Hoshiarpur with her young son during the Easter holidays to visit relatives and planned to return to the UK on April 25.
But on April 17, Ms Rani’s brother-in-law, Yogesh Arora, a journalist with PTC News, was called to Model Town Police Station in Hoshiarpur.
Later that evening, police officers reportedly went to the family home where Ms Rani was staying and took both her and her minor child to the police station, where they were kept for several hours.
At the time, her child was said to be suffering from a high fever, raising serious concerns for the family.
Following the incident, FIR No. 47 was registered at Model Town Police Station under allegations linked to the sale of alcohol, and Ms Rani’s name was included in the case.
Family members and community representatives strongly disputed the allegation, saying she had no involvement in the alleged offence and had travelled to India solely to visit relatives.
During the police action, officers also took several personal belongings into police possession, including £5,500 in cash, Rs. 350,000 (£2,700) and gold jewellery.
Additional family funds of around Rs. 4 million (£31,000), along with more gold ornaments, were also present in the house as relatives had been negotiating the purchase of a small property for their mother in Hoshiarpur.
The case caused concern among residents in Leicester, Bristol and across the wider British Indian community, particularly because a young British child was directly affected.
The Indian Workers Association (Great Britain) raised the matter with authorities in both countries. It contacted the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the British High Commission in New Delhi, and senior officials in Punjab.
Members of Parliament were also approached for support, including Shivani Raja and Damien Egan.
Following those interventions, Punjab Police returned Ms Rani’s passport and jewellery. The Look Out Circular (LOC), which had initially prevented her from leaving India, has now been withdrawn.
This means she is now able to travel back to the United Kingdom with her child.
Police have also returned Rs. 265,000 in cash, although the £5,500 remains outstanding.
Community representatives said they will continue pursuing the return of the remaining money with the relevant authorities.
Sital Singh Gill, General Secretary of the Indian Workers Association (Great Britain), said the organisation had worked intensively with officials and community leaders in both countries to resolve the matter.
He said the case caused serious concern among communities across the UK because a visiting mother and her sick British child had been taken to a police station and named in a criminal case despite having no apparent connection to the alleged offence.
Mr Gill also expressed appreciation to Shivani Raja, Damien Egan, officials at the FCDO, and the British High Commission in New Delhi for their assistance.
He also acknowledged discussions with Harpal Singh Cheema, who had assured that the matter would be reviewed.
The Indian Workers Association had previously planned peaceful demonstrations next week in London and Birmingham.
However, the protests have now been cancelled following confirmation that Ms Rani and her child are free to return to the UK.
The family is now hoping to secure a flight so they can reunite with relatives after days of uncertainty and distress.
The Indian Workers Association said it will continue seeking clarity from the Punjab Government over the circumstances of the case, accountability for the actions taken, and whether compensation should be considered for the distress caused to the family.
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