Jalandhar: Allegations of immigration fraud have surfaced in Jalandhar after an immigration firm was accused of taking around ₹11.5 lakh from a family on the promise of sending a student to Australia for higher education. The family alleges that despite receiving the money, the agent neither arranged the promised visa nor returned the amount. Following the alleged failure, members of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Kadiyan) joined the victim’s family in a protest outside the immigration office.
The union has warned that the agitation could be intensified if the entire amount is not returned to the family. The protesters have also demanded that the authorities investigate the allegations and determine whether other families may have been similarly affected.
The case concerns the family of Darbar Singh, a resident of Fazilka. According to the family, they approached Gujral Immigration in Jalandhar to send their child to Australia for higher studies. The family said it had already made the necessary financial arrangements for the student’s education abroad.
According to their account, the family had a bank balance of around ₹32 lakh and had also secured arrangements for an education loan. Despite this, the alleged agent reportedly pointed out shortcomings in the student’s file and sought payments for processing the case. The family claims that approximately ₹11.5 lakh was subsequently transferred in different instalments to bank accounts allegedly linked to the agent.
The family said it expected the visa process to move forward after the payments and that the student would eventually travel to Australia. However, the promised process allegedly did not materialise.
Alleged Delays Continued for Months
The family alleges that after receiving the money, the agent repeatedly delayed the matter. Even after waiting for approximately six months to a year, the student’s visa reportedly did not arrive.
Whenever the family allegedly approached the agent for a refund, they were given new dates and asked to wait further. According to the family, assurances were repeatedly given that the matter would soon be resolved, but neither the overseas admission or visa process was completed nor was the money returned.
The family was recently allegedly given an appointment on the 28th to discuss the refund and resolve the matter. However, the family claims that when they reached the office, the premises were locked. The agent was subsequently accused of leaving the place and avoiding the family.
Office Shut, Agent Allegedly Claimed to Be in Delhi
During the protest, the victim’s family and members of the farmers’ union also alleged that after the office was closed, the agent told them that he was in Delhi. The protesters, however, claimed that his live location appeared to be in the Mall Road area of Jalandhar.
The allegation further angered the protesters. Manpreet Singh Sandhu, state vice-president of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Kadiyan), said farmers in Punjab were already facing financial pressure and debt-related difficulties. Families often arrange money for their children’s education and overseas future by selling land or taking loans, he said.
He alleged that when such families fall victim to agents who take their hard-earned money without completing the promised process, they face both financial and emotional distress.
Union Warns of Protest Outside Agent’s Home
The farmers’ union has warned that if the owner of Gujral Immigration does not return the family’s entire amount soon, the protest will be shifted from the immigration office to the accused’s residence.
The union has threatened to hold a prolonged protest outside the alleged accused’s home and seek strict legal action with the assistance of the administration. Protesters have also demanded a detailed investigation into the alleged transactions and the destination of the money paid by the family.
They have urged authorities to determine whether the immigration firm allegedly collected money from other students and families using similar promises.
The allegations also serve as a warning for students planning to travel abroad for education or employment. Before paying a large amount to an immigration consultant, families should independently verify the firm’s registration, licence, previous record, admission documents and communication with the foreign university or institution. Payments should be supported by proper receipts and documentation, and large transfers to personal bank accounts should be treated with caution.
At present, the allegations made by the family and protesters require verification through investigation and legal proceedings. The exact circumstances surrounding the payments, the promised immigration services and the alleged failure to provide a refund will become clear only after the relevant authorities examine the evidence.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
