Panchkula police arrested Azad Singh, the alleged mastermind behind a ₹12.30 lakh illegal migration racket, after he was stopped at Amritsar airport while trying to board a flight to Malaysia. The arrest follows earlier seizures of three co‑accused and a three‑day remand for further interrogation.

मुख्य बिंदु (Key Takeaways)

  • Azad Singh intercepted at Amritsar airport while attempting to flee to Malaysia.
  • Case registered on March 7, 2024, involving a ₹12.30 lakh fraud under IPC Sections 406, 420, 120‑B and Immigration Act Section 24.
  • Three co‑accused already in custody; police continue to trace additional conspirators.

The Anti‑Emigration Fraud Unit of Panchkula police today detained the alleged mastermind of a large‑scale immigration fraud at Amritsar International Airport. Identified as Azad Singh of Panipat, he is accused of promising a resident a legal United States tourist visa for ₹38 lakh, collecting ₹12.30 lakh as advance, and then diverting the victim through Dubai and Armenia via the illegal ‘Dunki’ route.

Background of the Investigation

The case was formally lodged on 7 March 2024 at Raipur Rani police station. Charges were framed under Indian Penal Code sections 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating), 120‑B (criminal conspiracy) and Section 24 of the Immigration Act. A local complainant alleged that after paying the advance, he was shuttled to Dubai, then to Armenia, with repeated assurances that he would eventually reach the United States. Realising the deception, he returned to India and reported the matter to police.

How the Arrest Unfolded

Azad Singh had been on the run for nearly two years. A Look‑Out Circular (LOC) issued on 23 June 2024 flagged him as a flight risk. While attempting to board a flight to Malaysia, airport security, acting on the LOC, detained him. A specialised team from the Anti‑Emigration Fraud Unit escorted him to Panchkula, where a local court granted a three‑day remand for further questioning.

Co‑accused and Ongoing Probes

Deputy Commissioner of Police Srishti Gupta confirmed that three co‑accused—Baljinder, Vikas alias Vicky, and Pankaj Chauhan—were arrested earlier and have been charged. During interrogation, Azad Singh reportedly named another associate, who is now being tracked by investigators. Police are also pursuing the recovery of the stolen advance money, a portion of which is believed to have been distributed among the conspirators.

Public Advisory

Commissioner Gupta urged aspirants planning overseas travel to engage only with government‑authorized, licensed immigration agents. She warned against agents offering false promises of foreign jobs or illegal migration routes, and appealed to victims of such scams to promptly report to police or the Anti‑Emigration Fraud Unit for swift legal action.