Immigration scam: Cops crack down

Mumbai: In one of Mumbai's biggest immigration rackets, the Mumbai Police have now begun cracking down on the Regional Passport office employees.
These are the men behind one of Mumbai's biggest human trafficking rackets along with crooked agents and a sacked airhostess who helped them smuggle illegal immigrants to foreign shores.
The scene of crime is none other than the Regional Passport Office in Mumbai, where critical evidence in the case has been destroyed, documents, which were used to make at least 43 dubious passports.
His back to the wall, the man in charge has little choice but to make a candid admission.
''There are a few files missing and the lower rung officer in the passport office are involved,'' said Hemant Kotalwar, Regional Passport Officer, Mumbai.
But despite the strong charges, the passport authorities are trying to pass the buck. The police, however, say that the finger of accusation rests on the passport authorities.
''The police has a different job and the passport officer has a different job,'' said Deven Bharati, DCP (Crime), Mumbai.
This is all the police have for the time being, but with 72-airline crew on their radar and some big fish under the scanner, there could be more arrests in the New Year.
26/12/07 Rashmi Rajput/NDTV.com

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Categories: Airports Dec 2007, General Aviation Dec 2007, Jet Airways Dec 2007