US national detained at Nepal border: Who is Jordan Brown and why are Indian agencies questioning him? | Today’s news
Jordan Brown, a 36-year-old American national, came under the scrutiny of Indian security agencies after he was apprehended near the India-Nepal border in Uttar Pradesh while allegedly trying to cross into Nepal without valid travel documents.
Brown was apprehended by Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel on Saturday near Border Pillar No. 516 in Sonauli Kotwali area of Maharajganj district, far from the designated immigration route. He ignored commands to stop and allegedly tried to flee before being subdued and taken into custody, according to officials.
His arrest drew attention because Brown claims to be a former member of the US Navy and Special Forces, while investigators say he gave conflicting accounts of how he got to India and traveled around the country.
What do authorities know about Jordan Brown?
According to police, Brown did not have a passport, visa or other identification documents with him when he was detained. After his arrest, intelligence and security agencies began questioning him to verify his identity, travel history and the purpose of his visit.
Brown identified himself as a California resident and said he served in the U.S. Navy and Special Forces for six years before leaving the military about two years ago. He also told investigators that he studied at the University of California and traveled to nearly 70 countries.
However, the authorities are independently verifying these claims.
How did Brown say he got to India?
During questioning, Brown gave several versions of his journey.
In one account, he told officials he had traveled to Thailand on a tourist visa and lost his passport there. He then reportedly reached Sri Lanka by sea before arriving in India on 2 November 2025 via another sea route. Since then he claimed to be living in Goa.
In another version, Brown said he arrived in Goa from the United States about two months ago, stayed there for almost six weeks, traveled to Bengaluru and later boarded a bus to Lucknow on July 8. From Lucknow, he said he proceeded to Gorakhpur before hiring a taxi to the Sonauli border.
Officials noted these discrepancies and are continuing to verify his statements.
Passport, marriage application raise other questions
Brown claimed that an acquaintance in Bengaluru had his passport. However, police said he did not provide a full address or verifiable details of the person.
He also told investigators that he met an Indian woman from Uttarakhand in Italy three years ago and married her in October 2024. Brown, he said, works as a yoga instructor. Authorities are verifying both claims as part of the investigation.
Case registered
Police have registered a case against Brown at the Sonauli police station under relevant provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act for allegedly entering India and attempting to cross into Nepal without valid travel documents.
While Brown remains under questioning by multiple intelligence agencies, officials said no evidence of suspicious or anti-national ties has yet emerged. Investigations are ongoing to establish his identity, route of travel and circumstances of his presence in India.
