Daijiworld Media Network – Chennai

Chennai, May 15: Chennai police have arrested 10 foreign nationals, including four women, on charges of allegedly casting illegal votes in the recently held Tamil Nadu Assembly elections using fraudulently obtained identity documents, officials said on Thursday.

According to a press release, the accused were intercepted by immigration authorities at Chennai International Airport while attempting to leave India after the elections, which were conducted on April 23.

Preliminary investigations revealed that although the individuals held foreign citizenship and were not Indian nationals, they had reportedly stayed in different parts of Tamil Nadu with the intent of illegally exercising their franchise.

Following a complaint from immigration officials to the Greater Chennai Police Commissionerate, cases were registered between May 7 and May 14 by the Central Crime Branch and local police units.

All the accused have been produced before the court for further legal proceedings, the release added.