THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
Leicester Mother and British Child Cleared to Return Home After International Efforts Over Punjab Police Case
British MPs, the Indian Workers Association (Great Britain) and community leaders intervene after Leicester family caught up in police case during Easter visit to Punjab
Leicester / London / Hoshiarpur- A Leicester mother and her minor British child who became caught up in a police case during a family visit to Punjab, India, have now been cleared to return to the United Kingdom following representations by community leaders, Members of Parliament and British officials.
Ms Alka Rani, a resident of Leicester, had travelled to Hoshiarpur in Punjab with her young son during the Easter holidays to visit relatives. The family had planned to return to the United Kingdom on 25 April.
The situation began on 17 April 2026, when Ms Rani’s brother-in-law, Mr Yogesh Arora, a journalist with PTC News, was called to Model Town Police Station in Hoshiarpur. Later that evening police officers went to the house where Ms Rani was staying and took both Ms Rani and her minor child to the police station, where they were reportedly kept for several hours.
At the time, the child was said to be suffering from a high fever of around 103°F, causing considerable concern for the family.
Following the incident, FIR No. 47 was registered at Model Town Police Station under allegations relating to the sale of alcohol, and Ms Rani’s name was included in the case. Family members and community representatives strongly disputed the allegation, stating that she had no involvement in the alleged offence and had travelled to India simply to visit relatives.
During the police action, several personal belongings were taken into police possession, including £5,500 in cash, INR 350,000 and gold jewellery. Additional family funds of approximately INR 4,000,000 together with gold ornaments were also present in the house as the family had been negotiating the purchase of a small property for their mother in Hoshiarpur.
The incident caused concern among residents in Leicester, Bristol and across the wider UK community, particularly because a minor British child was directly affected.
The Indian Workers Association (Great Britain) raised the matter with authorities in both countries, contacting 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 assistance, including Shivani Raja MP (Leicester East) and Damien Egan MP (Bristol North East).
Following these efforts, Punjab Police returned Ms Rani’s passport and jewellery, and the Look Out Circular (LOC) that initially prevented her from leaving India has now been withdrawn, allowing her to travel back to the United Kingdom with her child.
Police have also returned INR 265,000 in cash, although £5,500 in British currency remains outstanding, which community representatives say they will continue to pursue with the relevant authorities.
Sital Singh Gill, General Secretary of the Indian Workers Association (Great Britain), said the organisation had worked intensively with authorities and community leaders in both countries to resolve the situation.
He said the case had 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 expressed appreciation to Shivani Raja MP, Damien Egan MP, officials at the FCDO, and the British High Commission in New Delhi for their assistance. He also acknowledged discussions with Harpal Singh Cheema, Finance Minister of Punjab, who had assured that the matter would be reviewed.
The Indian Workers Association had previously planned peaceful demonstrations next week in London and Birmingham, but confirmed that the protests have now been cancelled following confirmation that Ms Rani and her child are able to return to the UK.
The family is now hopeful of securing a flight later today so that they can return home and reunite with relatives in the United Kingdom after the distressing events of the past days.
The Indian Workers Association said it will continue to seek clarity from the Punjab Government regarding the circumstances of the case, accountability for the actions taken, and consideration of compensation for the distress caused to the family.
