Punjab police arrests travel agent for fraudulent practices

Punjab Police today arrested a private travel agent for possessing over 15000 passports, which were beyond his permitted licence limit.

Jalandhar (Punjab), Dec 20 : Punjab Police today arrested a private travel agent for possessing over 15000 passports, which were beyond his permitted licence limit.

After receiving a tip-off, the Anti-Fraud Department raided the Shivam exports run by Rajiv Soni, a travel agent in Jalandhar city, and seized passports and a huge amount of cash.

"In raid, the police team seized 15,000 to 16,000 passports and cash of Rs 250,000," said Manjit Singh, in-charge, Anti-Fraud staff.

Soni was caught with two licences, which allowed him to issue 150 passports on each.

Police swooped down on Soni on account of the passports he was availing for his customers, which was far in excess of the number granted on his licences.

Soni claimed that his licence was genuine.

Police is investigating the case.

Every year, Indian officials arrest a large number of people, mostly uneducated and semi-skilled workers, wanting to go abroad on forged documents, who are helped by illegal placement agencies.

While it is mandatory for all manpower recruitment agencies to register with the Union Labour Ministry, a large number of illegal agencies operate across the country.

ANI