Punjab cancels licences of 40 travel agents for sending Indians illegally to US

The licences of 40 travel agents were cancelled in Amritsar, days after India Today TV exposed the business of dubious travel agents taking exorbitant fees to make people enter countries through 'donkey routes'. The travel agents were allegedly involved with Indian citizens who recently got deported from the US.

This crackdown on fake travel agents was done as per an order by Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sahni. The raid was conducted after over 300 Indians, who were deported from the US and Panama, returned to the country on deportation flights earlier this month.

The Amritsar Police has also issued notice to 271 travel agents in the city who have failed to renew



their licences.

Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) have been instructed to inspect the documents at the offices of travel agents and immigration consultants. The district police have been asked to immediately inform the Deputy Commissioner's office in case of any complaints against travel agents.

Travel agents have been instructed to maintain proper records in their offices and ensure they are not working with incomplete documents. Strict action will be taken against unauthorised travel agents.

There has been a police reshuffle in the past 48 hours, with new personnel being assigned, and off the record, sources suggest that a sting operation is underway.