HC tightens noose around illegal visa agents; serves notices on Punjab, Haryana and Centre
PTC Web Desk: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has served notices on the governments of Punjab and Haryana, along with the Central Government, in response to a public interest petition demanding the release of a list of authorised visa agents to tackle the significant presence of unauthorised immigration agents operating in Punjab and Haryana.
The petitioner, Arvind Kumar from Karnal in Haryana, is a visa agent. As per the petitioner, he has obtained accreditation from Canada's regulatory body. In the petition, he has alleged that in Punjab and Haryana, the Deputy Commissioner and the Deputy Inspector General of Police of the relevant states were granting approval to visa agents while it was given by a regulatory body.
Under international law, agents or consultants working on visas for a specific country should obtain approval from the regulatory authority of that country, complying with its laws, states the petition.
Notably, the issue of illegal visa agents has sparked concerns regarding the authenticity and reliability of visa facilitation processes. With a surge in unauthorised immigration agents, individuals seeking visas are facing grave challenges. The lack of a verified list of authorised visa agents has prompted significant distress among applicants, leading to potential exploitation and financial risks.
Punjab region, in particular, has witnessed a proliferation of agents claiming to assist in visa procedures without proper accreditation or approval from relevant authorities. This has resulted in a chaotic scenario where unsuspecting applicants become victims of fraudulent practices, risking both their finances and aspirations for overseas travel.
- With inputs from our correspondent
