ED carried out search operations at 22 locations in illegal foreign immigration Case; Seized cash worth Rs. 1.5 Crore

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has carried out search operations on 19.01.2024 and 20.01.2024 at 22 locations in Ahmedabad, Delhi, Surat and Mehsana linked to the key conspirators Bobby @ Bharatbhai Patel, Charanjit Singh and others under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 in the case of illegal foreign immigration

In 2015, the ED launched an inquiry based on two FIRs registered by Gujarat Police under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code and Passports Act, alleging illegally transferring Indian citizens abroad.

The ED investigation found that the accused were planning to illegally send Indian citizens abroad using bogus or fabricated documents to obtain visas for various countries. They used duplicate or bogus passports and impersonated passengers to pass as genuine.

For this purpose, they used to collect Rs. 60 to 75 Lakh from one passenger, Rs. 1 to 1.25 Crore from a couple (husband and wife) and Rs. 1.25 to 1.75 Crore if children are also accompanied, by, the passengers desirous of going abroad.

During the search operations, cash worth Rs. 1.5 crore in INR and foreign currencies worth Rs. 21 lacs were seized. Additionally, digital and documentary evidence were recovered and seized.

Bobby Patel was involved in the 2022 Dingucha case, in which a family of four died while attempting to unlawfully enter the United States from Canada.

Further investigation is under progress.