New Delhi: A man claiming to be a former US Navy officer and a resident of California has been arrested near the India Nepal border after allegedly attempting to enter Nepal without carrying a passport, visa, or any other valid travel documents.
The 36 year old, identified as Jordan Brown, was detained by personnel of the Sashastra Seema Bal during a routine patrol near border pillar number 516 in the Mainihwa area of Uttar Pradesh’s Maharajganj district. Officials said he allegedly tried to flee after being signalled to stop but was quickly apprehended.
During initial questioning, Brown identified himself as a US citizen from California and claimed to have previously served in the US Navy. However, Indian authorities said they are still verifying both his identity and his claims.
According to investigators, Brown told officials that he had lost his passport while travelling in Thailand on a tourist visa. He allegedly travelled onward to Sri Lanka by sea before entering India on November 2, 2025, also through a sea route. He further claimed to have spent the past several months living in Goa before travelling to Bengaluru and later reaching the Sonauli border, where he was allegedly attempting to cross into Nepal.
A search of his belongings led to the recovery of ₹31,460 in cash and two mobile phones. Officials said he was unable to produce any documents proving his identity or establishing his legal entry and stay in India.
Following interrogation by the Sashastra Seema Bal and other security agencies, Brown was handed over to the Uttar Pradesh Police for further legal action.
A case has been registered at the Sonauli Police Station under provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act related to illegal entry and unauthorised stay in India. Security agencies are continuing their investigation to verify Brown’s nationality, reconstruct his travel history, and examine his claim of having served in the US Navy.
