Consul General Riaan Pio confirmed on Wednesday that the couple were confined in a Khar hotel on suspicion of carrying drugs. Since no charges were framed, the consulate has decided to intensify talks with the Indian authorities and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to help the couple return to South Africa.

Following the report in Express Newsline on Wednesday two constables from the Khar police station went to Hotel Neelkanth and took down the statements of Norman Bell (55) and Maureen Bate.

Pio stated, ``The Department of Foreign Affairs in Pretoria has already been informed about the whole matter and I'm keeping in touch with the NHRC in Delhi to find a solution to this problem as soon as possible.''

Pio added that whenhe had contacted the NCB, Mumbai branch, a senior officer had admitted that they had kept a watch on the couple and their business associate M Yusuf, who reportedly turned out to be a drug smuggler.

``But the NCB have told us nothing about the whereabouts of Yusuf and have also denied that they had agreed to pay any monetary compensation to the duo for their overstay and forceful confinement in the hotel room,'' said the Vice Consul.

Bell and Bate had arrived in Mumbai in May this year on an invitation by Yusuf to explore the prospect of leather export business. However, on June 1, a day prior to their flight back to S Africa, Yusuf had asked them to stuff mandrax tablets in their bag and smuggle it to S Africa. However, they refused to get involved in the racket.

Meanwhile, acting on a tip-off, the NCB swooped down on the hotel and whisked away Yusuf for questioning.

Though the police could not find any drugs with the S Africans, they forcefully confined the two to their hotel room from June 1 to 9.Bell and Bate later recounted their ordeal in letter to the NHRC.

``We only hope to go back to our country with the co-operation of the Indian authorities,'' said Bell adding d that though the consulate was willing to give them a loan for their return flight, they refused it as the NCB had promised to arrange it for them.