Mohali youth dies in Mexico after alleged agent fraud; body brought home after four-month legal battle
Family members allege that the agents arranged fake Nepalese documents for Hardeep while sending him abroad
PTC Web Desk: A 28-year-old man from Samgoli village in Mohali died in Mexico after allegedly being kept without proper food and water, while trying to reach the United States through the illegal “donkey route.” His body remained in a Mexican mortuary for nearly four months due to documentation fraud, before finally being brought back to India.
The deceased, identified as Hardeep Singh, had left his home in July 2024 with hopes of earning in US dollars and supporting his family. According to relatives, the family paid nearly Rs 38 lakh to travel agents who promised to send him to the United States. However, he never reached his destination.
Family members allege that the agents arranged fake Nepalese documents for Hardeep while sending him abroad. After reaching Mexico, he reportedly faced severe hardships. His brother, Malkit Singh, claimed that Hardeep was confined to a room and deprived of food and water. The agents initially took Rs 33 lakh and later demanded another Rs 4 lakh, promising assistance. Despite paying the amount, the family says Hardeep remained stranded in Mexico for nearly a year before he died.
After his death, complications arose because his travel papers identified him as a Nepal citizen. Mexican authorities were unwilling to release the body to India as the documents did not match his actual identity.
The Mohali police said coordination with the Indian Embassy was required to resolve the issue. Fingerprints of the deceased were sent from India for verification. After thorough checks, authorities confirmed that Hardeep was not a Nepal resident but a citizen of Punjab, India. Once the paperwork was cleared, his body was finally repatriated.
When the body reached Samgoli village, a wave of grief swept through the community. His last rites were performed at the village cremation ground.
Before his death, Hardeep had sent a video message in which he was seen pleading for help. In the clip, he appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Mohali district police officials to take action against the agents. A few days after the video surfaced, news of his death reached the family.
The Dera Bassi police had registered a case against two travel agents around four-and-a-half months ago. One of the accused has recently been arrested and produced in court. He has been remanded to three days of police custody for further investigation.