Kollam: Two foreigners from West Asia, who were taken into custody on the charge of conducting an illegal recruitment drive in Kollam, were produced before the court and remanded in police custody on Friday.
Kottiyam police arrested Mansoor F. Alhatani of Saudi Arabia and Bilal of Jordan along with a local resident Kunjumon Cheriyan for allegedly recruiting welders to a company in Saudi Arabia without proper documents.
“The foreign residents were produced before the court and remanded for further investigation. There is nothing fishy about the recruitment drive so far,” Chathannoor ACP S. Sivaprasad told DC.
Several candidates from all over the state, including Kannur and Kozhikkode, had reached Palamukku near Kottiyam for the recruitment. Meanwhile, the interview was held inside a welding workshop under the ownership of Kunjumon.
The foreigners offered a salary of 1,700 riyals and demanded Rs 80,000 for the visa.
The interview was arranged by Kunjumon who has been with the company for the last 30 years. However, the foreigners had only tourist visas meant for availing of ayurvedic medical treatment in Kerala.
As per foreign immigration Act those visiting on this visa are not permitted to do other dealings here.
