India on Wednesday night deported Lord Alexander Carlile, lawyer for former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia less than two hours after landing at Delhi aiport on the grounds that he did not have a valid visa, reports The Economic Times.
"Lord Alexander Carlile, a British national, arrived in New Delhi on July 11, 2018 without having obtained the appropriate Indian visa. His intended activity in India was incompatible with the purpose of his visit as mentioned in his visa application. It was therefore decided to deny him entry into India upon arrival," MEA spokserson said in response to a query on denial of entry of Lord Carlile into India.
Carlile was earlier scheduled to hold a press meet in Delhi on July 12. The event was cancelled after decision to deport him. Sources familiar with Carlile claimed that that he had a business visa.
Experts on Indo-Bangla affairs, however, claim that Carlile is known to have links with outlawed extremist group Jamaat-e-Islami and is trying to defend BNP at the behest of Jamaat.
He had earlier alleged that the legal case in Bangladesh court against Zia lacks admissible evidence and this may be a play to keep her away from the elections. He is a member of House of Lords.