Nicaragua human trafficking case: SIT likely to lodge first FIR soon

Anirudh Gupta

Ferozepur, January 13

Around 159 passengers of Punjab origin who were on board the Nicaragua-bound flight and deported back to India by the French authorities belonged to 22 districts of Punjab with Amritsar, Tarn Taran and Gurdaspur topping the list with at least 20 passengers each.

As per the information available, the data of the passengers has been sent to respective districts for verification and to ascertain the role of travel agents.

Sources said that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the matter has identified an Amritsar-based travel agent who was allegedly part of the larger racket including other agents belonging to Delhi and Gujarat.

While talking to The Tribune, SP Randhir Kumar, who is heading the SIT, said that they have obtained the data of most of the passengers hailing from Punjab. He said that some travel agents who had booked the tickets have also been identified, adding that the data about them is also being obtained from the airways concerned.

Sources said that there was a likelihood of registration of the first FIR in this case in the next few days. Information suggests that out of over 30 passengers interrogated so far, none of them was ready to come out on record with any complaint against the travel agents as they themselves did not wish to land in trouble.

Many passengers, fearing backlash, had even gone into hibernation after landing back in India on December 26, revealed officials privy to the developments in this case.