Two more FIRs filed as US deportees expose illegal immigration network
Days after multiple individuals were deported from the US, the Kurukshetra police have registered two FIRs against four persons for allegedly cheating victims under the pretext of facilitating their travel to the US and providing jobs. Earlier, the Karnal police had registered three FIRs against four accused in similar cases. However, no arrests have been made so far.
Confirming the FIRs, Kurukshetra SP Varun Singla said investigations into both cases are underway. “We have recorded the statements of the deported individuals and registered cases accordingly. The allegations are under investigation,” he said.
One FIR, registered at the Kurukshetra University Police Station, includes charges under IPC Sections 34, 370, 406 and 420, along with Sections 10 and 24 of the Immigration Act. The complaint was lodged by Paramjeet Singh, a resident of Haibatpur village, Karnal district, now living in Parsuram Colony, Thanesar, Kurukshetra.
Paramjeet, his wife, and their two children were among 33 deported individuals from Haryana last week. He alleged that Salinder Bhura, a resident of Kirmach, along with associates Jinda and Rinku, deceived him of Rs 1.20 crore, promising him safe passage to the US and a job opportunity in May 2024.
According to the complaint, on December 21, 2024, the accused took Paramjeet and his family to Delhi airport, where two others joined them. They travelled to Italy, then Paris, while maintaining contact with the accused via WhatsApp. Eventually, they reached Mexico, where they were confined in a locked room. Their passports and phones were confiscated and they were subjected to electric shocks, starvation and beatings. The captors threatened to harm their children if the remaining payment was not made.
On January 15, 2025, Paramjeet managed to contact his cousin via WhatsApp, pleading for help. The next day, the accused —Bhura, Rinku, and an accomplice — collected Rs 70 lakh in cash, a transaction captured on CCTV footage. However, instead of being released, the victims were transported to the US-Mexico border on January 22, 2025. Their phones were reset, passports returned and they were instructed to cross the border alone.
Upon entering the US, they were immediately detained by authorities, allegedly mistreated in custody and later deported to India.
A second FIR, also registered at the Kurukshetra University Police Station, includes charges under IPC Sections 406 and 420, along with Sections 10 and 24 of the Immigration Act. The complaint was filed by Vikas Kumar of Jognakhera village, who accused Amit Panjeta, a resident of Jainpur, Kurukshetra, of duping him with false promises of a job in the US.
Amit allegedly demanded Rs 40 lakh, of which Rs 10 lakh was paid in advance. On July 30, 2024, Vikas was sent to Madrid, Spain, where he stayed in a hotel for 15–16 days at his own expense. Amit assured him that these expenses would be deducted later.
Later, Amit promised to send him to Mexico but demanded additional money. Under pressure, Vikas transferred the remaining amount.
On August 15, 2024, he reached Brazil and remained in an airport camp until August 22. After being released, he stayed in a hotel for 40–45 days, also at his own expense. His journey continued through harsh conditions, including travelling via the Panama jungle route.
Finally, he entered the US on January 15, 2025, but was detained and later deported on a US Air Force flight.
With these new FIRs, Haryana police are expanding their investigation into what appears to be a widespread human trafficking network. Authorities are now examining financial transactions, CCTV footage and WhatsApp communications between the victims and the accused.
