Duped by travel agent, Jalandhar youth ends life

Ajay Joshi

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, June 21

A 27-year-old youth reportedly committed suicide after falling prey to a travel agent. The deceased has been identified as Rajan Singh. His family told the police that instead of sending Rajan to America, the accused sent him to Russia, from where he was deported.

His father Jarnail Singh, a resident of Raseela Nagar, Basti Danishmandan, said ever since his son had returned, he was under depression and after getting death threats from the agent, he hanged himself on Wednesday night.

Rajan, who used to run a turban-tying centre on the Avtar Nagar road near Nakodar Chowk, came in touch with accused Manjit Singh early this year. The latter trapped him, saying he would get him a job in America, for which he took Rs 10 lakh.

Manjit and his wife Paramjit Kaur prepared a fake visa and asked the victim’s family to arrange for over Rs 3 lakh more. The deal was struck at Rs 25 lakh. Three months ago, the travel agent made Rajan board a Russia-bound flight. When he landed, some unknown persons came to receive him.

They took him to an isolated place and held him captive with some other migrants for a month.

After two months, Rajan managed to escape the clutches of the accused. He called up his family and narrated his ordeal.

The victim’s brother said Rajan had told him that some unknown persons who were in constant touch with the agent were demanding the remaining amount from him.

He said they didn’t give him food for 15 days and took him to strange places, even forests. They wanted him to reach America through a ship.

On Monday this week, Rajan returned home after the family members sent him a ticket. When Manjit came to know that Rajan was in the city, he pressured him to give him the remaining amount. The accused even took his bike and car. Rajan and his family alleged that the agent kept issuing threats to them.

Meanwhile, the police have started investigations and are on the lookout for the accused.

Victim was held captive for a month

• Rajan Singh, the victim, came in touch with accused Manjit Singh early this year. 
• The latter trapped him, saying he would get him a job in America, for which he initially took Rs 10 lakh.  
• The accused prepared a fake visa and asked the victim’s family  to arrange for over Rs 3 lakh more. The deal was struck at Rs 25 lakh.
• Three months ago, the travel agent made Rajan board a Russia-bound flight. When he landed, some unknown persons came to receive him. 
• They took him to an isolated place and held him captive.
• After two months, Rajan managed to escape the clutches of the accused. He called up his family and narrated his ordeal.