Immigration fraud: 27 FIRs in Ambala, Kurukshetra

AMBALA: Police registered 11 cases of immigration fraud in Ambala and another 16 in Kurukshetra on Thursday against several immigration agents , including one who is an Ambala-based functionary of BJP, for allegedly duping 27 people from the two districts who were deported from the US on May 19.

The FIRs have been registered on complaints either by the deportees or their families.

One of the complainants has accused an Ambala-based BJP worker, Makhan Singh Lobana, and his brother Surinder Singh alias Chhinda of committing fraud with him. Surinder has been booked in several cases at both the districts.

Ambala superintendent of police (SP) Abhishek Jorwal said of the 11 persons from Ambala who were deported from the US recently, three had tested positive for Covid-19 on their arrival in Panchkula, where all US deportees had been quaratined in Haryana . "They are undergoing treatment at the designated Covid-19 hospital. Those who tested negative have been quarantined at facilities in Panchkula district ."

"Investigations into these immigration fraud cases have been initiated and action as per law would be taken against accused agents as per the facts and findings. Makhan, a BJP worker, has been booked. There are several cases registered against his brother and we are investigating their roles. Makhan was earlier with the INLD," Jorwal said.

About 16 residents of the Kurukshetra district , Kurukshetra SP Astha Modi told, "A total of 16 persons were deported from the US recently. Out of these, four persons had tested positive for Covid-19 at Panchkula district, and the remaining are quarantined at the facilities in Panchkula only. The positive patients are isolated and under treatment. We are collecting the evidence and action would be taken soon against accused agents."

The cases have been registered against accused agents under Sections 24 (offences and penalties) of the Emigration Act and 406 (punishment for criminal breach of trust) and 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at different police stations in both the districts.