29 arrested in Delhi for human trafficking

At least 29 people, including the wife of a Punjabi folk singer, are arrested on charges of human trafficking after the US embassy registers a police complaint.

At least 29 people, including the wife of a popular Punjabi folk singer,were on Thursday arrested on charges of human trafficking after the US embassy registered a police complaint.

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"We have arrested 29 people, including Dolly Singh, who writes her husband's name as Malkit Singh. She had applied for visa on the basis of forged documents at the US embassy here," Joint Commissioner of Police Ajay Kashyap told IANS.

Malkit Singh resides in the US.

Kashyap said Dolly had approached the US mission seeking visas also for 28 people, who were supposed to present cultural performances in the US.

"Dolly told the embassy officials that the people are part of a musical troupe and had received an invitation to perform in the states. But the embassy officials found their conduct suspicious and informed the police late Wednesday," he added.

He said a case was immediately registered at the Chanakyapuri police station and the investigations showed they had applied visas on the basis of forged documents. "We have also recovered some documents and passports but are not sure whether they are fake or genuine." The passports were being checked, the police official said.

"It has been learnt that in the past Dolly had taken some people abroad, adopting a similar modus operandi. The whole matter is under investigation," Kashyap said.

A US embassy official told IANS: "We informed the police about the incident last night and they are conducting the investigation."

Earlier this year, the Delhi Police arrested Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Babubhai Katara at the Indira Gandhi International Airport on the charge of smuggling out a woman and a boy on his families' diplomatic passports.