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The Hindu
4 days ago
- The Hindu
ED conducts searches across Punjab and Haryana in 'Donkey Route' case
The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday (July 8, 2025) conducted searches at 11 locations in Punjab and Haryana in connection with the 'Donkey Route' case related to the illegal immigrants deported from the United States in February. The searches were carried out in Punjab's Amritsar, Sangrur, Patiala, and Moga; and Ambala, Kurukshetra, and Karnal in Haryana, as part of the probe into money-laundering angle. According to the agency, the investigation is based on 17 first information reports registered by the police in Haryana and Punjab against the travel/visa agents and middlemen who cheated various persons willing to go to U.S. It is alleged that the agents used to target the innocent persons aspiring to go abroad and on the false promise of facilitating their air travel through legal channels, they charged about ₹45-50 lakh per head from the victims. 'However, the agents used to dupe the innocent persons as they were sent through illegal routes [Donkey Route] by crossing the borders of many countries illegally through dangerous/jungle routes under the influence of donkers [human trafficking conduits] and the mafia,' the agency said. 'The agents, in collusion with donkers and the mafia, used to create such a threatening situation for the persons and their families that they were forced to pay of a few deportees were recorded by the ED and further examination of facts revealed names of suspects, which are being covered in today's search,' it said. Earlier this month, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested two alleged 'U.S. donkey route' human traffickers after searches at two locations in Himachal Pradesh and Delhi. The accused were identified as Sunny aka Sunny Donker of Dharamshal (Himachal Pradesh) and Shubham Sandhal aka Deep Hundi of Ropar (Punjab) residing in Peeragarhi (Delhi). The accused were associates of Gagandeep Singh who was arrested earlier in March. 'Gagandeep was arrested on a complaint of a victim who was illegally trafficked to the U.S. using the infamous 'dunki' route and was deported to India in February this year. The NIA had charge-sheeted Gagandeep, a resident of Tilak Nagar in Delhi, in the case on June 27,' the NIA said. As alleged, Gagandeep Singh used to take about ₹45 lakh from each victim on the false promise of sending them to the U.S. on a valid visa. He would then illegally send them on an arduous journey via multiple countries, including Spain, El-Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico. He had sent over 100 victims illegally to the U.S.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Time of India
NIA: No Dalai Lama or Khalistani link in Himachal raid; 2 held in 'Donkey Route' human trafficking case
This is a representational image (Pic credit: PTI) NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday denied media reports suggesting that its team conducted a raid in McLeodganj, Himachal Pradesh in connection with the security of Dalai Lama or any Khalistani terror financing case on Friday. In a sharp clarification, the NIA said the search conducted in McLeodganj on Friday was entirely related to an ongoing investigation into a human trafficking case dubbed the 'US Donkey Route' network, a method used to illegally send people to the United States via multiple countries. "The search had no connection either with HH Dalai Lama or with any case related to Khalistani terrorists, and reports to the contrary in a section of the media are completely false," the agency said in a statement. Two more traffickers arrested in Friday's raids Earlier, the NIA confirmed that two accused traffickers were arrested during the searches conducted simultaneously in Himachal Pradesh and Delhi. The accused were identified as Sunny alias Sunny Donker, a resident of Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh and Shubham Sandhal alias Deep Hundi, originally from Ropar, Punjab, currently residing in Peeragarhi, Delhi. Both are reportedly close associates of Gagandeep Singh alias Goldy, a key accused who was earlier arrested in March this year. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Get ₹2Cr life cover@ ₹700 p.m. ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo The local police were duly informed and accompanied the NIA team during the McLeodganj operation, the agency said. Rs 45 lakh per victim for illegal entry to US According to NIA's investigation, the accused charged victims up to Rs 45 lakh each, promising legal entry into the US. Instead, they sent them on perilous journeys across multiple countries including Spain, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico. Gagandeep Singh, a resident of Tilak Nagar in Delhi, had already been chargesheeted on June 27. He is believed to have trafficked over 100 individuals to the US before his arrest. The case came to light after a victim was deported from the US back to India earlier this year and filed a complaint with authorities.
India Gazette
05-07-2025
- India Gazette
NIA arrests two more 'US donkey route' human traffickers following raids in Himachal, Delhi
New Delhi [India], July 5 (ANI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two 'US donkey route' human traffickers after searches at two locations in Himachal Pradesh and Delhi, the agency said on Saturday. The accused, identified as Sunny alias Sunny Donker of Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district and Shubham Sandhal alias Deep Hundi of Ropar in Punjab, and currently residing in Delhi's Peeragarhi, were associates of Gagandeep Singh alias Goldy, arrested earlier in March. They were arrested on Friday. NIA said Gagandeep was arrested on a complaint of a victim who was illegally trafficked to the US using the infamous 'Dunki' route and was deported back to India in February this year. NIA had chargesheeted Gagandeep, a resident of Tilak Nagar in New Delhi, in the case on June 27. As per NIA investigations, Gagandeep Singh used to take around Rs 45 lakh from each victim on the pretext of sending them to the US on a valid legal visa. 'He would then illegally send them on an arduous journey via multiple countries, including Spain, El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico,' said the NIA. He had sent more than 100 victims illegally to the US in this manner before being arrested. Sunny was the main associate of Gagandeep Singh and played a key role in facilitating the journey of the victims on the donkey route. 'The victims were physically and mentally harassed on the way by the donkers and agents seeking to make more money. Shubham Sandhal was an important hawala courier operator involved in transferring funds to donkers in Latin America. Gagandeep used him to transfer part of the money taken from the victims to the donkeys based in Latin America,' said the NIA in a statement. NIA, which took over the case from Punjab Police on March 13, 2025, is continuing with its investigation to unravel the entire illegal racket and conspiracy. (ANI)
Time of India
28-06-2025
- Time of India
City doctor dies after car rams into Haryana bound vehicle
Ludhiana: A local doctor lost his life when his vehicle collided with a car and overturned near Verka Milk Plant at Ludhiana-Ferozepur Road on Saturday morning. Members of a Haryana-based family, who was hit by the doctor's car, suffered minor injuries. The victim's car was mangled on impact. Passersby pulled him out of the vehicle but he died on the spot. The deceased was identified as Dr Gagandeep Singh, 31, a resident of Sector 39, Chandigarh Road. He was driving a Hyundai Creta car to Jagraon when the accident took place at around 9am. According to Sarabha Nagar police, Dr Singh lost control of his car when it hit a bike. Thereafter, he rammed into a Haryana-registered Maruti Swift car and his vehicle overturned. The condition of the doctor's car suggests that he was speeding. Passersby managed to extricate him from the car but he succumbed to severe injuries, especially to the head. The Haryana residents, who escaped with minor injuries, said that they had gone to Jalandhar for an event and decided to stay overnight in Ludhiana. They were on their way back to Fatehabad, Haryana, when the accident took place. The tyre of the Swift car also burst. Inspector Madhu Bala, SHO, Sarabha Nagar police station, said that prima facie evidence suggested that the accident was caused by speeding. Police are yet to record statements of the victim's family. MSID:: 122131636 413 |
Hindustan Times
28-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Doctor killed, 5 injured in high-speed collision
A city-based doctor lost his life while five others sustained minor injuries in a tragic road accident near the Verka Milk Plant on Ferozepur Road in Ludhiana on Tuesday. The accident occurred when a Hyundai Creta, reportedly being driven at high speed, lost control and collided head-on with a Maruti Swift. The damaged Hyundai Creta of city-based Dr Gagandeep Singh after the deadly crash at the elevated road near GLADA office in Ludhiana on Saturday. (Gurpreet Singh/HT) The deceased has been identified as Dr Gagandeep Singh, a resident of Jamalpur, Ludhiana. He was travelling towards Jagraon for work when the crash took place. According to eyewitnesses, Dr Singh's car first hit a motorcyclist and then rammed into the Swift. The impact was so severe that the Creta was badly damaged, and Dr Singh suffered fatal injuries to his head and face after the car eventually turned turtle. He died on the spot despite efforts from passersby who pulled him out of the vehicle. Meanwhile, five persons travelling in the Swift car received minor injuries. They were returning to Fatehabad after attending a function in Jalandhar and had stopped overnight in Ludhiana. The rear tyres of their vehicle burst due to the impact, and the rear of the car was heavily damaged. Police officials said the accident occurred due to a possible loss of control after speeding. A traffic tow van was called to clear the vehicles from the road. Local residents immediately informed the traffic police. The body of Dr Singh was sent to the Civil Hospital mortuary, and the area police have taken charge of the investigation. The deceased's family is yet to issue a statement. Station house officer (SHO) of the Sarabha Nagar police station, Madhubala, said, 'Legal formalities are being completed and a detailed probe is underway.' As per eyewitnesses, the impact of the collision was so severe that the vehicle could have swerved and rolled over to the other side of the road, in front of the oncoming traffic and endangered lives. When contacted regarding the missing beam crash barriers on the stretch, NHAI project director Priyanka said a safety audit will be ordered. She also assured that immediate actions would be taken to make travelling along the road safer.
