Sunday, April 3 2005 09:11 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: A Swiss couple, convicted of paedophilia by a local court and later granted bail by the Supreme Court, is believed to have jumped bail and left the country, police sources said in Mumbai.

It is, however, not clear how the couple could leave the country inspite of having deposited their passports with the authorities as per the apex court's order, sources said.

Wilhelm and Lile Marti were convicted of paedophilia by a sessions court in March 2003. They were found filming a porn video with two street girls and were arrested on December 16, 2000.

In April last year, the couple was granted bail by the Supreme Court and directed that their passports should remain with the sessions court.

The police claimed that as on date it was a "dead issue" for them as they do have any further role to play after filing of the chargesheet in the case.

"We can not comment on this as the court has already passed an order (granting bail to the couple)," an officer on condition of anonymity said.

The police said they have no idea about when the couple left the country and added that they are trying to find out how and when they left the country.