MHA clarifies exit fee for child passenger after Al-171 victim's relative alleges 1,000 pound demand by immigration officer

After a relative of three victims of the Al-171 plane crash alleged that the family had to pay 1,000 pounds to an immigration officer to board the flight, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) sources clarified that the amount paid was a visa fee and a fine for overstaying in India, and proper procedure were followed while issuing the exit permit for the child holding a British passport.

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Speaking to the reporters, Manish had claimed, "My daughter, her 15-month-old son, and her mother-in-law were on the flight. My son is now giving a DNA sample at the hospital. Before boarding, the family was stopped by an immigration officer and asked to pay 1,000 pounds to be allowed on the flight. They were not allowed to board despite having British passports. The officer asked for 1,000 pounds, saying that since the child was born and raised in Nagpur, they needed an additional letter, even though they already had his British passport."