The petitioner stated, “The incident like the recent major deportation of illegal immigrants of India by the USA, caused losses of crores of rupees to the people of Punjab.”
Chandigarh, February 18: The Punjab and Haryana High Court instructed the Punjab government to take a decision on a representation that seeks action against illegal travel agents who are deceiving innocent people by sending them abroad through unlawful means.
A bench consisting of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Harmeet Singh Grewal issued this directive while disposing of a petition filed by advocate Kanwar Pahul Singh on February 17.
The petitioner urged the court to take urgent action against fake travel agents operating in Punjab. He also requested the establishment of “emigration check posts” and an updated list of “certified recruiting agents” to help regulate the emigration process.
His plea was filed following the recent deportation of several illegal Indian immigrants from the United States. He highlighted the need for immediate measures to set up check posts across Punjab under the Emigration Act, 1983, to ensure proper procedures for legal emigration and curb illegal migration.
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The petitioner stated, “The incident like the recent major deportation of illegal immigrants of India by the USA, caused losses of crores of rupees to the people of Punjab.”
He also emphasized that an updated list of “certified recruiting agents and permitted employers established outside India” should be made available to the public. This would help ensure that people can access legal emigration routes and avoid being trapped by fake travel agents.
The petitioner further requested immediate action against all fake travel agents operating in Punjab under the Punjab Prevention of Human Smuggling Act. He stated that this was essential to stop human trafficking through illegal routes, often referred to as “donkey routes.”
Advocate Dheeraj Jain, representing the Central government, informed that the court directed the petitioner to submit his representation to both the Punjab state government and the Central government within a month. The authorities were instructed to review the representation and make a decision on the matter.
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Jain also stated that “the Protector of Emigrants in Chandigarh has forwarded a total of 127 complaints over the unscrupulous agents to the Punjab government for action in the past year.”
Among these, “57 were received from victims,” he added.
Following the deportation of the first group of illegal Indian immigrants from the US on February 5, the Punjab government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising Punjab Police officials. This team was set up to probe the issue of illegal human trafficking.
Subsequently, two more groups of deportees arrived in Punjab on February 15 and 16.
