The North News
Chandigarh, February 15
Punjab Police’s NRI Affairs wing has arrested travel agent Anil Batra, one of four accused in an illegal immigration scam, as part of an ongoing crackdown on fraudulent immigration consultants. The arrest follows the registration of 10 FIRs by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing agents who allegedly duped individuals with false promises of entry into the United States, leading to their deportation.
Batra, a resident of Haryana’s Kurukshetra, was arrested from his in-laws’ house in Patiala. He is charged under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Emigration Act for allegedly orchestrating illegal travel routes via Suriname and Central America, ultimately facilitating unauthorized entry into the US. Authorities have frozen his bank account, holding ₹6.35 lakh.
DGP Punjab Gaurav Yadav reaffirmed the police’s commitment to dismantling human trafficking networks and urged the public to report fraudulent immigration practices. He also advised citizens to seek immigration services only from licensed agents and verify credentials before proceeding.
