Four illegal travel agents held in Jalandhar

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 6

In a major crackdown on unauthorised travel agents, the Commissionerate Police on Wednesday busted a gang involved in duping people on the pretext of sending them abroad. The police have seized 536 passports besides Rs 49,000 cash, a laptop and three computer systems from their possession.

Disclosing this here today, CP Gursharan Singh Sandhu said the special operation unit (SOU) of Commissionerate Police had received a tip-off regarding illegal activities being carried out by unscrupulous elements. Following the information, a team led by ACP Ashok Kumar, SOU head Inspector Inderjeet Singh kept a close eye on these agencies, namely, VV Overseas and Landmaze Overseas near the local bus stand, Punjab to Abroad Consultancy in Alfa Estate, World-Wide Overseas in Grand Mall and Visa City Consultancy in BM Tower near Football Chowk.

Those arrested are identified as Nitin of Mahavir Jain Colony, Amit Sharma of New Karamsar Colony, Sahil Ghai of Lal Kothi, Haibowal and Tajinder Singh of Guru Gobind Singh Nagar in Ludhiana.

Sandhu said the police raided VV Overseas and arrested Amit, Nitin and Sahil. Sandhu. After their interrogation, the police nabbed Tajinder Singh and recovered 536 Indian passports and Rs 49000 cash, a laptop and computers from the premises of other agencies. When asked how many students so far have been cheated by these agents, Sandhu said the investigation in the case was underway and the nexus of such unauthorised agents would be exposed soon and others, if any, involved in such illegal activities too would be arrested.

He said a fresh case under Sections 406, 420, 120-B of the Indian Penal Code and 13 of Punjab Travel Professions Regulation Act, 2014, had been registered against them.

Accused have criminal past

• Commissioner of Police Gursharan Singh Sandhu on Wednesday said one of the arrested travel agents, Nitin, was facing 104 criminal cases in various parts of the state
• Similarly, eight cases had already been registered against another agent, Tajinder. Two others, Amit and Sahil, had also been booked in four and three criminal cases, respectively, he added

About The Author

Tribune News Service

The Tribune News Service brings you the latest news, analysis and insights from the region, India and around the world. Follow the Tribune News Service for a wide-ranging coverage of events as they unfold, with perspective and clarity.