National/ Punjab Desk
19 February
Ludhiana
Sandeep Dhand
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Punjab government to take a decision on a petition seeking action against unauthorized travel agents involved in illegally sending people abroad. The bench, led by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Harmeet Singh Grewal, issued this directive while disposing of a petition filed by advocate Kanwar Pahul Singh. The petitioner also demanded the establishment of immigration checkpoints and the release of an updated list of certified recruitment agents.
The petition was filed after a recent wave of deportations of illegal Indian immigrants by the United States. It urged the government to establish immigration checkposts under the Immigration Act, 1983, to streamline the immigration process and curb illegal migration. The petitioner claimed that Punjab residents suffered financial losses worth crores due to these deportations.
He further appealed for an updated list of verified recruitment agents and authorized overseas employers to help people access legal immigration channels and avoid fraudulent travel agents. Additionally, the petition called for strict action under the Punjab Human Trafficking Prevention Act against fake travel agents operating in the state, particularly those facilitating illegal migration through the dangerous “donkey routes.”
Central government counsel Dheeraj Jain informed the court that the petitioner has been instructed to submit his representation to state and central authorities within a month. The court has directed both governments to review the request and take appropriate action.
Jain also revealed that the Chandigarh-based “Protector of Emigrants” had sent 127 complaints against fraudulent agents to the Punjab government in the past year, 57 of which were received directly from victims.