14 April,2011 08:07 AM IST | | Mohit Sharma
Three persons arrested by Delhi police after they tried to procure UK visas using Subrata Roy's ITR papers and bank statement
How far would you go to get on a flight to London? Delhi police has arrested three persons for allegedly using original Income Tax Return (ITR) documents and personal bank statement of Sahara India Parivar Managing Worker and Chairman, Subrata Roy Sahara, to procure visas for United Kingdom. One of their associates is still absconding.
No returns: Sahara India Parivar Managing Worker and Chairman,
Subrata Roy Sahara. file pic
The matter came to light when the UK embassy sent a mail to Sahara, as part of their verification process and received a negative reply from them and informed Additional Commissioner of Police, New Delhi District, KC Dwivedi about the matter.
"We received a complaint from the UK embassy stating that three persons have tried to use the ITR and bank statement of Sahara to get visas for the UK. During investigations we found out that the documents used were indeed original and that they had procured them illegally," a senior police officer said.
The three people apprehended have been identified as Parminder, Amit and a cyber caf ufffd owner whose name remains unknown. Another accused named Gurtaj is absconding. Sources in Delhi police said that Gurtaj and Parminder had applied for the visas while Amit, who is said to be the field boy of an agent, provided them the documents.
"Amit was introduced to the other two accused by a person named Mahendar. Amit provided the duo with the documents which they attached with their visa applications. They also made a fake Sahara group identity card which has been recovered," police sources said.
Police officials said that the original documents which were used have also been received and confiscated and the trio has been sent to judicial custody. While Amit was caught on Sunday, the other two were apprehended on Saturday.u00a0
A case of cheating has also been registered against the accused by the New Delhi district police. "We are probing the matter and may make a few more arrests as we suspect that more people are involved," a senior police officer said.
During investigations it was revealed that Amit worked for an agent, Ashok Mehta who had arranged about thirty visas for Sahara group a few months ago when its officials had to go for a hotel inauguration in the UK. "We suspect that Amit, being the field boy, must have kept a copy of the original documents, which he later passed on to other accused. Amit connived with the applying candidates and has been booked for the same," the police said.u00a0u00a0u00a0
Mehta is also being questioned by the cops. When contacted, the security in-charge of Sahara India Parivar Kuldeep Sharma who is also the complainant in the case, confirmed the incident. "I would not be able to comment on the matter," he added. Additional Commissioner of Police, New Delhi district, KC Dwivedi was unavailable for comments, despite repeated attempts.u00a0
'Stay safe'
British Deputy High Commissioner in Bangalore Richard Hyde recently said that the UK will be implementing a set of new rules in student visas from April 21. He also told visa aspirants to not rely on touts, as it would do no good.
"As there are many instances of students getting admitted to bogus institutions, a decision was made and the universities listed on the website are credible," he said.
He also said that the language requirement for obtaining the visa was also increased and in future no interpreters will be allowed to visa interviews. "There are also some reforms related to work for those who come on student visas. Those who study in government funded institutions or universities can only do part-time jobs. Those who are studying can work get unskilled jobs, but once graduated they should be permitted to work as skilled employees only," he stated.
"The UK is very strict regarding forged or fake documents provided to obtain visas. If such cases are found, a ban of ten years will be imposed. The matter will be dealt very seriously," he said.
