Crackdown on illegal immigration firms, 8 arrested
The UT police today launched a major crackdown on immigration centres running illegally in the city and arrested eight owners. They seized passports, laptops, desktops, cash and other incriminating materials from these centres.
Multiple FIRs were registered under various Sections of the BNS and the Immigration Act. “A special drive was conducted against immigration companies illegally operating in the city. These agencies were found deceiving and cheating citizens by falsely promising visas and overseas job opportunities without proper authorisation, in violation of the Immigration Act, 1983, and the orders of the District Magistrate, Chandigarh,” said a police spokesperson.
Anu Thakur, owner of Milestone Immigration, SCO no.116-117 (top floor), Sector 8-C, who was running her advertisement on Instagram regarding work permit and construction work visa of Dubai, was arrested. She did not get the verification of her employees done.
At M/s Greenland Overseas Consultancy, SCO no.112-113 (top floor), Sector 8-C, several employees were found working without police verification. Its owner Alka Thakur was also arrested.
Raj Kumar, alias Rajbir of Kumbhra, Mohali, who owns ‘Abroad Plus Consultant’; Sagar Singh of Guru Gobind Singh village, Ferozepur, who owns ‘Immigration Consultancy Agency’; and Gagandeep Singh of Sector 22-D and owner of GS Visa Point Private Limited Immigration; were booked.
Harshdeep, owner of the Calgiri Overseas immigration centre, Sector 20, was also arrested. The police seized his laptop and entry register. Rupinder of Samana Khurd and Mohd Arif of Maloya were arrested and later released on bail.
Vikas Malhotra, owner of Dream Future Consultant, Sector 34, was arrested, while Vikas Batra, owner of Tronto Wings; Vinay Choudhary of Veracity Overseas; and others were booked.
A case under the Immigration Act and Section 223 of the BNS has been registered against Rajveer Singh and Satyam Bhatnagar, both residents of Patiala, for running an illegal immigration agency, namely Satyam Immigration Services, in Maloya. A CPU, around 60 passports and ?2,60,000 were seized from their office.
“This crackdown is a significant step towards preventing the exploitation of innocent citizens by unauthorised immigration agencies and ensuring strict enforcement of laws regulating overseas migration services,” said a police official.
