Punjab Police Forms SIT To Probe Illegal Migration After US Deportation Of Indian Migrants

The Punjab Police has formed a four-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the issue of illegal migration and human trafficking, as announced by Director General of Police, Gaurav Yadav, on Friday. The SIT will take strict action against anyone found involved in illegal migration or human trafficking, Yadav said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. The move came two days after the recent deportation of 104 Indians, including 30 from Punjab, by the United States.

DGP Gaurav Yadav announced that the fact-finding committee will be headed by Parveen Sinha, ADGP NRI. The committee also includes ADGP/Internal Security Shive Verma, IGP/Provisioning Dr S Boopathi, and DIG Border Range Satinder Singh. Yadav emphasized that the committee's responsibility is to take necessary legal action against anyone involved in illegal migration or human trafficking.

"A Four-member Fact-Finding Committee/Special Investigation Team has been constituted under the chairmanship of Sh. Parveen Sinha, IPS, ADGP NRI, and includes Sh. Shive Verma, IPS, ADGP/Internal Security, Dr. S Boopathi, IPS, IGP/Provisioning and Sh. Satinder Singh, IPS, DIG Border Range to enquire into the issue of illegal human trafficking/illegal migration arising from the deportation of Indian Citizens domiciled in Punjab from the United States," Yadav said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. 

"The Fact-Finding Committee/Special Investigation Team has been directed to take appropriate action as per law and facts and take action against any person found involved in committing illegalities and indulging in illegal migration/human trafficking," he said.

This comes after a series of immigration fraud incidents reported in Punjab. In December 2024, three travel agents in Ludhiana were charged with defrauding individuals of large sums of money by falsely promising visas and overseas job opportunities. The police filed cases against Sachin Punj of Lakshmi Nagar and Neha of Welcome Immigration, Ferozepur Road, based on a complaint by Ankita Sharma. 

Sharma claimed that they took Rs 6 lakh in instalments but failed to arrange a visa or refund the money. Similarly, Rubina from New Kitchlu Nagar was booked for taking Rs 8.50 lakh to arrange a Canada visa but provided a fake one instead.