Gujarat : SIT Formed to Probe Visa Racket

Gandhinagar : The Additional Director General of Police for Gujarat CID (Crime & Railways) has taken decisive action, establishing a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to delve into a burgeoning duplicate documents and visa racket. Uncovering a web of visa consultants aiding individuals in acquiring forged degrees and certificates for travel or admissions abroad has prompted a swift response from the authorities.

Last Saturday saw extensive CID crime searches conducted across major cities, targeting visa consultants’ offices, revealing the vast expanse and entrenched nature of this scam. Recognizing the intricate depth of the situation, Additional Director General of Police (CID-Crime and Railways) Rajkumar Pandian mobilized the formation of the SIT.

In a detailed statement, Superintendent of Police Mukesh Patel remarked, “Superintendent of Police Sanjay Kherat will spearhead the SIT, supported by 13 officers assigned to investigate the racket across various zones in the state.”

He shed light on the fraudulent practices of visa agents and consultants who fabricate documents, primarily catering to aspiring students and job seekers eyeing countries like America, Canada, Europe, and Australia. This deceptive practice defrauds hopeful candidates and job seekers with overseas aspirations.

The CID crime unit acted upon intelligence gleaned from multiple agencies and corroborating sources, culminating in searches conducted at over 17 locations. The operation yielded the seizure of crucial evidence, including documents, hard drives, computers, laptops, and mobile devices, retrieved from several agents.

A criminal complaint has already been lodged against two prime accused, Kishan Patel and Prem Parmar, at the CID crime Gandhinagar police station. Both individuals face charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, encompassing forgery of valuable documents, forging electronic documents with intent to deceive, conspiracy, and fraud.

Detailing the modus operandi, authorities revealed that the accused facilitated the creation of fake degree certificates for aspiring candidates seeking overseas education or work permits. Operating with a fee running into lakhs, they exploited these forged documents to secure student visas or work permits, perpetrating a significant offense against the law.

Superintendent of Police Sanjay Kherat said, “This is a complex network of deceit that preys on the aspirations of individuals seeking legitimate opportunities abroad. Our team is committed to unearthing the full scope of this racket and bringing those responsible to justice.”

The initiation of the SIT underscores a concerted effort to dismantle this fraudulent enterprise and safeguard the integrity of international immigration processes.