New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a bogus travel agent from Tilak Nagar in Delhi for his role in sending people illegally to the US, using the infamous ‘Donkey’ or ‘Dunki’ route.
Kirti Vardhan Singh, minister of state for external affairs, recently told Parliament that 388 Indian nationals have been deported from the US since January this year. Of them, 333 were deported directly from the US on three military flights, while 55 were sent back in commercial flights through Panama.
The minister also said that the US has informed about 295 more Indians in its custody, who have also received marching orders from the government there. Indian authorities are now verifying their details.
Gagandeep Singh alias Goldie was picked up by NIA sleuths on Sunday, based on a complaint by a man who was among those deported from the US. The victim is a resident of the Tarn Taran district in Punjab.
In his complaint, the man claimed that he paid Rs 45 lakh to Goldie, who promised to send him to the US and help him settle down there. The agent allegedly sent him to the US in December 2024 via Spain, Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico. He was nabbed by authorities in the US and deported on February 15.
The NIA investigation has revealed that ‘Donkers’ – Goldie’s associates – assaulted and abused the victim along the way. They also snatched the dollars he was carrying. Goldie does not possess any licence, legal permit or registration to send persons abroad, the NIA has revealed.
