US deportees blame travel agents, 73 FIRs registered
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, May 29
After recording of the statements of the deportees from USA, the Haryana Police today registered 73 FIRs against travel agents in various districts of the state.
A total of 76 people from the state were deported and statements of 73 people have been recorded so far.
The statements of deportees have now been recorded. It is a big scam as travel agents looted them. People sold their plots, houses, shops and agricultural land to collect money for payment to these agents. These people used to be made to enter the US from illegal routes
Anil Vij, Home Minister
Earlier, Home Minister Anil Vij had asked DGP Crime PK Agarwal to inquire from the deportees whether they were duped. “The statements of deportees have now been recorded. It is a big scam as travel agents looted them. People sold their plots, houses, shops and agricultural land to collect money for payment to these agents. These people used to be made to enter the USA from illegal routes including the Mexico side,” said Vij.
Out of 76 deportees, 21 had also tested Covid-positive. “The 73 FIRs have been registered district-wise,” said DGP Crime. Eleven cases were registered at different police stations in Ambala while 16 cases were registered at Kurukshetra.
One of the victims from Ambala accused a local BJP leader, Makhan Singh Lobana, and his brother Chhinda Fauji too. Denying the allegations, Lobana said, “Chhinda Fauji is my cousin but I have nothing to do with him. He had been using our name. I have nothing to do with his work or any such activity.” SP Ambala Abhishek Singh Jorwal said, “Chhinda is accused in multiple cases and if Lobana is also involved, action will be taken as per the law.”
SP Kurukshetra Astha Modi said, “The victims have been told to provide documents and details related to financial transactions. There are directions to expedite the investigation and all the SHOs concerned are personally monitoring the cases. In some of the cases, the accused are common. For instance, there is an accused, a resident of Pundri, who is common in four cases in Kurukshetra and two cases in Kaithal.”
In Karnal, 25 FIRs against 26 travel agents were registered. The family members accused the agents of luring them on the pretext of jobs with handsome salary, but they were sent illegally.
Kuldeep Mann, a resident of Ghoghripur village in Karnal, said that he sent his brother Manjeet Mann to the USA by selling half acre of land.
SP Karnal Surinder Singh Bhoria said, “I appeal to the people to beware of such fraudsters. People should check the registration of the immigration agents first.” Vij also said that the investigations were also being carried out to know about other victims of these travel agents.
