Andaman court grants bail to US tourist arrested for entering forbidden Island

Port Blair: A US national, arrested in Andaman and Nicobar Islands for allegedly entering a prohibited tribal reserve area of the North Sentinel Island on March 31, was on Friday granted bail by the sessions court here.

The accused was granted bail with two sureties.

“Today, bail hearing of accused... was put up before the Hon’ble Court of Sessions Judge at Port Blair. After hearing both prosecution and defence, accused... was granted bail with two sureties, of which one surety should be local having registered landed property,” a statement issued by the ANI police said.

“The accused person has to meet the investigation officer twice in a week and his passport and visa not to be released till further orders of the Hon'ble Court. It means he will remain here in Port Blair till further hearing,” it said.

The 24-year-old US national was arrested on March 31 for allegedly entering the North Sentinel Island without authorisation, police had said.

An FIR was registered against him under sections of the Foreigners Act, 1946, along with sections of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Amendment Regulation, 2012.