The Jammu Crime Branch has filed a chargesheet against an education consultant accused of collecting ₹37.94 lakh from multiple people after allegedly promising to arrange work visas for jobs abroad, particularly in Canada.
The Special Crime Wing filed the chargesheet against Lalit Sharma before the Special Municipal Court in Jammu on October 3.
Sharma, a resident of Nai Basti Rangpur in R.S. Pura, is the proprietor of M/s Kalika Education Consultant and M/s Knight Rider Consultant.
Police allege that he accepted money from several complainants but failed to provide the promised work visas or return their payments.
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Complaints Centred on Overseas Work Visas
The case was registered in 2025 after several people approached the Crime Branch with allegations against Sharma.
According to the Special Crime Wing, the complainants were promised work visas for foreign countries, with Canada specifically mentioned in several allegations.
They allegedly paid money believing that Sharma would arrange the necessary immigration process and overseas employment.
The promised visas were not provided, investigators said.
The complainants also alleged that their money was not refunded after the arrangements failed.
₹37.94 Lakh Traced Through Bank Transfers and Cash
During the investigation, Crime Branch officers recorded statements from complainants and witnesses and examined banking and documentary records.
The agency said its investigation established that ₹37.94 lakh had been received from the victims.
The payments were allegedly made partly through bank transactions and partly in cash.
The financial records are important because they allow investigators to connect individual complaints with money allegedly received by the consultant.
Police have not publicly disclosed how much each complainant paid or how many people contributed to the total ₹37.94 lakh.
Chargesheet Filed Under Section 420 IPC
The Special Crime Wing said the evidence collected during the investigation established a case under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property.
The FIR was registered as Case No. 02/2025 at the Special Crime Wing police station in Jammu.
The chargesheet has now been submitted to the court for judicial determination.
Filing a chargesheet does not amount to a conviction.
It means investigators believe they have gathered sufficient material to place the allegations before a court, where the prosecution evidence and defence will now be tested.
Two Consultancy Firms Named in Investigation
Sharma is described by investigators as the proprietor of both Kalika Education Consultant and Knight Rider Consultant.
Police are examining the transactions and documents linked to the consultancy operations as part of the case.
The available Crime Branch statement does not allege that every service offered by either consultancy was fraudulent.
The allegations relate specifically to complainants who say they paid money for overseas work visas that were not delivered and whose payments were not returned.
Canada Work Visa Promises Form Key Part of Case
Canada featured prominently in the complaints cited by investigators.
Work visa fraud often exploits the strong demand for overseas employment by offering applicants apparently straightforward routes to jobs abroad.
Victims may be asked to pay money for visa processing, documentation, recruitment or other services before any genuine employment arrangement is independently verified.
In this case, the Crime Branch says the promises were not fulfilled.
However, investigators have not publicly disclosed whether fake visa documents, fabricated job letters or false employer records were used.
Those details should therefore not be assumed unless they emerge during court proceedings.
Jammu Crime Branch Has Pursued Several Similar Cases
The latest chargesheet comes amid a series of overseas-employment fraud investigations by the Jammu Crime Branch.
In August, The420.in reported a separate case in which Kartik Choudhary was chargesheeted over allegations involving foreign employment visas, including a Portugal work visa.
In another case filed earlier this year, the Special Crime Wing pursued allegations that a man collected ₹10.05 lakh on the promise of a work visa and employment in Russia but allegedly arranged only a tourist e-visa.
These are separate cases involving different accused and complainants.
Financial Records Will Now Be Tested in Court
The prosecution will now have to establish that the money was obtained through dishonest representations and that the accused had fraudulent intent.
Bank transfers, cash-payment evidence, witness testimony and communications relating to the visa promises are likely to be important.
The defence will have the opportunity to challenge those allegations and the evidence relied upon by investigators.
The court will ultimately determine whether the offence alleged by the Crime Branch is proved.
What this means for you
Before paying an overseas employment or visa consultant, independently verify the recruiter, employer and immigration process through official channels. Insist on written agreements and receipts, and do not assume that payment to an education or immigration consultancy guarantees a work visa.
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