A man in his thirties, claiming to be from Jalandhar, Punjab, has reportedly been stranded at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) for nearly two weeks. Immigration complications have left him in a bureaucratic limbo, unable to enter either India or New Zealand.
The man, Akash Pushkarna, travelled from New Zealand to Delhi last month with the intention of returning to India permanently. However, Indian immigration officials allegedly denied him entry because he could not produce a valid Indian passport. Instead, he presented a New Zealand-issued Certificate of Identity, a document generally provided to non-citizens, refugees, or asylum seekers who are unable to obtain a passport from their country of origin.
“I’ve been sleeping on the airport floor”
Officials reportedly informed Mr Pushkarna that the document was insufficient for entry into India. According to a report by The Print, Akash claimed his Indian passport had been lost or had expired, making it impossible for authorities to verify his nationality through standard procedures.
Following his denial of entry, Akash was reportedly placed on a Malaysia Airlines flight back towards Auckland. However, during a transit stop in Kuala Lumpur, he became stranded because he allegedly no longer possessed a valid visa to re-enter New Zealand.
The situation gained public attention after a video went viral online showing Akash appealing for assistance. He claimed he had been sleeping on the airport floor for days without proper food, clothing, or money. He also stated that he had attempted to contact Indian officials in Malaysia but was advised to resolve his documentation issues with the New Zealand authorities first.
For illustration purposes only
Akash is heading home with assistance from the High Commission of India
Akash explained that he decided to return to India because life in New Zealand had become difficult and his father was unwell. He believed the travel document issued in New Zealand would be enough to facilitate his journey home.
In a statement released by the High Commission of India in Kuala Lumpur (HCIKL) on Sunday (10 May), the department confirmed it had made contact with Mr Pushkarna. The statement confirmed that Akash is now finally headed back to India.
“After necessary formalities in Malaysia and New Zealand, he has been issued an appropriate travel document to facilitate his return to India.”
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