Immigration fraud: 62 more FIRs registered against travel agents in Haryana

Last month, 73 cases were registered under similar charges on the complaint of 76 people deported by the US

Updated on: Jun 8, 2020, 24:12:12 IST

Hindustan Times, Karnal | By Neeraj Mohan, Karnal

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Police have registered 62 more FIRs against travel agents for duping Haryana residents and sending them abroad illegally.

Last month, 73 cases were registered under similar charges on the complaint of 76 people deported by the US. On June 2, another flight with 66 people from Haryana had landed in India.

While 22 FIRs have been registered in Karnal, 12 were filed in Kaithal, 11 in Ambala, nine in Kurukshetra and four in Panipat.

Karnal IGP Bharti Arora, who is heading the seven-member special investigation team (SIT) formed to probe these cases, said, “Sixty-two more FIRs have been registered against travel agents on the complaint of people sent back from the US in the second flight.”

“Six such agents have so far been put behind bars and as the investigation progresses, more arrests are likely,” she added.

The IGP said most of the complaints were received from Karnal, Kaithal, Ambala and Kurukshetra districts. “The SIT is also collecting details of all pending cases of illegal immigration in the state as per the directions and the travel agents involved in illegal activities will face action,” she added.

On the violation of the Emigration Act by the deportees, the IGP said the police will not take any action against them as most of them had lost everything and even sold their land to pay the travel agents.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neeraj Mohan
Neeraj Mohan is a senior journalist with over 18 years of experience in political, agricultural, environmental and ground reporting across Haryana, Punjab, the National Capital Region and National Bureau. Associated with Hindustan Times for over a decade, he has also worked with leading media organisations including The Tribune, The Sunday Guardian and The Financial World. His reporting spans electoral politics, governance, agriculture, farmers’ issues, rural economy, climate change, pollution, and socio-economic challenges affecting communities at the grassroots level. Recognised for his field-based journalism and analytical approach, Neeraj has consistently focused on capturing ground realities while examining the impact of policy decisions on people and institutions. Over the years, he has covered major political developments, agriculture reforms, environmental concerns, and public interest issues, bringing together investigative insights, extensive field reporting and perspectives from farmers, policymakers, experts and stakeholders. His stories aim to bridge the gap between decision-making centres and the people directly affected by them. With a focus on accountability journalism, Neeraj continues to report on issues that shape public discourse, highlighting the intersection of politics, society, environment and development.Read More