Ranjan is a Sri Lankan National who in 2009 came to India along with his Wife, Smt. Archana, and his Son, Pavalan, holding a legally valid Sri Lankan Passport issued by Government of Sri Lanka and a valid Tourist Visa granted by Government of India. Ranjan along with his Wife and Son registered themselves with Shankar Nagar Police Station, Chennai as Non-Camp Refugees. They cancelled their registration with Shankar Nagar Police Station, Chennai in 2012 and re-registered themselves with K.K. Nagar Police Station at Trichy. Ranjan stayed in Trichy for more than a decade without any criminal conduct or complaint against his name.

Smt. Archana and Pavalan were granted a Visa by Government of Switzerland in 2014 and accordingly left for Switzerland where they sought Asylum and were granted Citizenship. Ranjan also applied for a Swiss Visa through his Wife, which was granted to him by Switzerland Embassy at New Delhi in July, 2021, subject to Police Clearance in Tamil Nadu.

Ranjan claims, when he was waiting for Police Clearance, he was arrested by Q Branch Officers of Ramanathapuram in December, 2021. He was confined at Puzhal Prison, Chennai. Courts below erred in holding Ranjan is same as absconding Sri and a conviction based on flawed identification cannot be sustained in eyes of law. Ranjan is acquitted and shall be released from Special Camp, Trichy forthwith. He shall be at liberty to pursue his request for relocation/movement to Switzerland, in accordance with law.

– Hon’ble Justice Sandeep Mehta, Sri v. State, [Criminal Appeal No. 5141 of 2025].