Kerala High Court upholds decision to fine Maldivian

The Kerala High Court has upheld the Indian government’s decision to fine Maldives’ national airline, Maldivian, for violating visa regulations in transporting seven people to Thiruvananthapuram.

The Times of India reports that Maldivian was fined Rs 700,000 by the Indian government for transporting seven people in violation of visa regulations, and the case was filed to Kerala High Court by Maldivian’s operator, Island Aviation.

“Upholding the imposition of penalty, the court held that there is no illegality in the orders. However, the court reduced the penalty of Rs4 lakh (Rs1 lakh each for four passengers) in one case to Rs1,20,00 (Rs30,000 each) taking notice of the fact that it is the first violation and the confusion regarding visa norms. The penalty of Rs3 lakh in total in the other case regarding transporting three passengers was not interfered with by the court,” the Times of India has reported.