Karnataka couple sent back from Paris airport

New Delhi, Aug 31 (PTI) A farmer couple from India's
southern state of Karnataka on way to meet their son in
Finland were reportedly detained and questioned at the Paris
international airport before being bundled on a flight back
home.

Asked about the treatment allegedly handed out to the
duo, Government Monday said it is ascertaining details about
the incident.

59-year-old K N Ashok Kumar, a farmer, and his wife
Meenakshamma (46) from Hassan district in Karnataka were in
transit in Paris and headed for Finland to meet their son K A
Darpam Gowda when they were stopped by French officials.

According to reports, the couple were held back at the
Charles de Gaulle airport in the French capital on August 26
for 20 hours and were grilled by officials, who had asked them
to produce an invitation letter from their son.

"We would have been able to provide assistance to the
couple if they had contacted the Indian Embassy there. But we
are still ascertaining details about the incident," Ministry
of External Affairs sources said here.

When contacted, the French Embassy here said the
incident, if confirmed, was regrettable.

"If confirmed we are sorry for what has happened. We
have asked for more information. We want Indians to travel to
France without any hassles. We are concerned (about the
incident) and we are inquiring into it," a French Embassy
spokesman said. (More) PTI