Indian scribe deported from the Maldives

Maldives deported two foreign journalists, one of whom was an Indian national on Saturday. The journalists had been arrested by the Maldivian police for allegedly violating immigration rules.

The nation which has been undergoing political turmoil, sent back Money Sharma, a photojournalist from Punjab and Atish Ravi Patel, a British national of Indian origin, both of whom have been working for AFP.

The police handed over the two to immigration authorities after they were found to be "working and reporting as journalists while on a tourist visa, in contravention to the Immigration Act and Regulations". They however, clarified that no further legal action will be taken against Sharma and Patel. "We would like to note that although they have been asked to leave the Maldives, no other legal steps shall be taken against them," said the police.