Travel agent booked for aiding Tarn Taran man cross over to US

The district police have started scrutinising the criminal background of travel agent Gurkirat Singh who played a key role in helping Mandeep Singh of Chohla Sahib cross over to the USA on January 22 this year. Gurkirat Singh belonged to a marginal family but has now opened his travel agency in the posh Ranjit Avenue area. He holds huge property in Amritsar and other parts of Punjab and has reportedly developed links with politically influential people.

The Chohla Sahib police have booked Gurkirat Singh on the complaint of Mandeep Singh (29), a resident of the same township, who was among the 30 Indians deported from the USA recently. Investigating officer ASI Rajbir Singh said that Gurkirat Singh cheated Mandeep Singh’s family of Rs 35 lakh.

Mandeep Singh went to Spain in 2022 where he was leading a peaceful life, earning a good income, but was desirous of settling in the USA. He told his father Naunihal Singh about his desire. His father contacted Gurkirat Singh who was working as a travel agent in the same Chohla Sahib township. He demanded Rs 22 lakh for sending Mandeep Singh through the ‘dunki’ (fraudulent) route.

Mandeep Singh was taken in custody by the men of the agent at the beginning of the year 2025 and was handed over to the ‘donkers’ in México. Mandeep Singh along with others was kept with thousands of others who were to cross over to the USA. He said that the ‘donkers’ tortured him and others who refused to arrange money from their parents. ASI Rajbir Singh said that a case under section 318 (4) of the BNS and section 13 of Punjab Travel Professions Regulation Act , 2014 has been registered against travel agent Gurkirat Singh who is absconding.