Chinese Man With Police Background Detained in McLeod Ganj for Illegal Stay
By Tenzin Chokyi
DHARAMSALA, 3 Feb: Himachal Pradesh Police on Monday arrested a Chinese national in McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala – the residence of the Dalai Lama – for allegedly staying in India without a valid visa. Preliminary investigations suggest that the suspect previously served in the Chinese police.
According to the police, the suspect has been identified as Lou Wennian (60), a native of China’s Sichuan Province, as per his passport. He had entered India on a tourist visa reportedly issued by the Government of Nepal, valid from 29 June 2025, to 26 September 2025, for a 90-day stay.
However, police said the suspect continued to stay in a rented place in the McLeod Ganj area beyond 26 September and was residing there until his arrest on 2 February without holding a valid Indian visa.
An FIR has been registered against him for illegally staying in India without valid documents.
The mandatory Form C, which foreign nationals are required to submit while renting accommodation, including home-stays and hotels, was not filled out in this case. Police said that action against the concerned property owner will be taken in accordance with the law.
Preliminary investigation reports suggest that the suspect has served in the Chinese police, though his current status and the province in which he served remain unclear. Police said the suspect is being questioned with the help of a Chinese language expert, as he is not fluent in either English or Hindi.
Given the sensitivity of the area, any suspicious movement around the Dalai Lama’s temple complex in McLeod Ganj is under scrutiny. Kangra Superintendent of Police Ashok Ratan said an investigation is underway and CCTV footage from the area is being closely examined.
The SP further said that central intelligence agencies, including the Intelligence Bureau (IB), have been informed about the arrest.
According to The Indian Express, sources revealed that approximately four lakh Chinese yuan were found in the suspect’s bank account. The suspicious presence of the foreign national was first reported to the security branch of the Kangra Superintendent of Police’s office, following which he was taken in for questioning.
