Latest news with #USDonkeyRoute
Mint
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Mint
‘Dunki' in real life? NIA denies McLeodganj raid linked to Dalai Lama, says search was over US donkey route trafficking
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has denied media reports that its raid near the Dalai Lama's home in McLeodganj, Himachal Pradesh, was linked to the spiritual leader's security or Khalistani terror funding. The July 4 operation targeted a human trafficking ring called the "US Donkey Route" instead, a term that has seen a major popularization after the popular Bollywood film 'Dunki', which starred Shah Rukh Khan, and had a storyline of the perilous journey of illegal immigrants. Local police accompanied investigators during the search. False stories spread because the raid happened during the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday celebrations, drawing global visitors to McLeodganj. The NIA called these reports "completely false" and confirmed the operation focused solely on traffickers exploiting Indians desperate to reach America. The "Donkey Route" is a brutal smuggling network charging victims up to INR 45 lakh ($54,000) for fake US visas. Traffickers like Gagandeep Singh forced migrants through dangerous paths across Spain, Guatemala, and Mexico, often abandoning them. During Friday's raids, NIA arrested two key suspects: Sunny "Sunny Donker" from Dharamshala and Shubham Sandhal from Delhi. Both worked for Singh, who sent over 100 people illegally to the US before his March arrest. Sunny ran a communication center near the Dalai Lama's palace, raising initial suspicions about his sudden wealth and foreign wife. Traffickers used shocking cruelty to profit. Sunny organized the migrants' journeys, while Sandhal moved money through illegal *hawala* channels to Latin American handlers. Migrants faced beatings, extortion, and starvation during the trip. One victim deported from the US exposed the network after filing a police complaint. Initial confusion arose because McLeodganj police weren't informed about the raid. An officer called it a "high-level security concern," while another wrongly linked it to Khalistani financing. The NIA clarified it followed all protocols and cooperated with local authorities during the search. The NIA is expanding its crackdown on the trafficking network. Gagandeep Singh was charged on June 27, and more arrests are expected. Agents seized phones, hard drives, and financial records to track the gang's global connections. The agency warned media against spreading unverified claims, stressing the case involves only human trafficking, not terrorism. Meanwhile, McLeodganj residents expressed relief that the raid wasn't linked to the Dalai Lama's safety during his birthday events. The NIA continues tracing funds and routes to dismantle the entire "donkey route" operation, endangering Indian lives.
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.
