Police early on Monday detained 24 persons including 17 foreign nationals who were living at a place of worship in Hindpiri in the city.

They were taken to an isolation centre at Khelgaon where they were examined by a team of doctors for the novel coronavirus.

The police also seized their passports for verification and their travel history is being investigated.

“They had come to India to participate in a religious conclave. They have travel history. Now they have been taken to isolation centre where they will stay till observation period. We are currently trying to collect their travel history,” said Ranchi senior superintendent of police Anish Gupta.

The men are from the United Kingdom, Kenya, Poland, Malaysia, West Indies, Bangladesh and Gambia. The seven Indians are from Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Gujarat. They are aged between 22 and 78 years.

“They (the foreigners) came to India on valid passports and visa,” said a senior Ranchi police official who requested anonymity. “They came to stay at the religious place in Hindpiri last Friday and they were caught in the lockdown. Some local residents informed us about presence of outsiders at the place and they requested police to segregate those from outside. Around 2.30am on Monday a police team reached the spot.”

Six days back, 11 foreign nationals were found similarly living in a place of worship at Rargaon under Tamar police station of Ranchi district.

They have been taken to an isolation centre in West Singhbhum.