Ernakulam district collector said in a report to the Kerala high court on Wednesday that Jewish couple Shneor Zalman and Yaffa Shenoi could stay in the country, but should stay away from conducting synagogue services.

The collector PI Sheik Pareeth had earlier served them a deportation order for allegedly violating visa norms, but the high court then intervened, asking him to hear the grievances of the Israeli couple and reexamine the documents first. As per the report, the couple has been allowed to stay in the country till their visa term expires on April 7, but they should not conduct synagogue services as their visa does not permit them to do so.

"I mentioned in the report that the couple were not allowed to carry out the synagogue service as they came here on a multiple-entry tourist visa. However, they have the right to continue their stay here till their visa term expires," Pareeth said.

According to the collector, the couple had claimed that it was not their mistake as they had applied for permission to conduct synagogue service in their visa application. But that was not endorsed.

“Further decision in their case will be taken by the Union home ministry after clarifying matters with the high commissioner's office," he added. The couple has been staying in a rented house at Fort Kochi for over a year.