The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a case against 6 private persons including two, earlier working in Visa Department of the Embassy of France, New Delhi and others on allegations of Visa Fraud in Embassy of France, New Delhi. It was alleged that the two accused working in Visa Department of Embassy of France, New Delhi, conspired with others and perpetrated a visa fraud during the period from 1.1.2022 to 6.5.2022. It was further alleged that in pursuance to the said criminal conspiracy, applicants from Punjab and Jammu submitted fake and forged letters purportedly written by a private company based at Bengaluru to the Consulate General of France, Bengaluru for issuing Entry Visas, for the purpose of their joining private companies in Port-Le-Havre, France. On being approached by the applicants the said two officials in Visa Department of Embassy allegedly issued Entry Visas in favour of three other accused after taking illegal gratification of Rs. 50,000/- per Visa, without the knowledge and approval of the Head of Visa Department, Embassy of France, New Delhi. It was also alleged that after issuance of Entry Visa, the said two officials displaced/destroyed the documents/files from the Visa Department.
During the period of five months, several files were allegedly handled by these accused which mostly pertain to individuals such as young farmers or unemployed people from Punjab who had not earlier travelled. It was further alleged that during the said period, the accused had perpetrated fraud of huge amount in Visa Department of the Embassy. Searches are being conducted on 16.12.2022 at 6 locations including at Delhi, Patiala, Gurdaspur and Jammu at the premises of the accused. Incriminating documents/articles including laptop, mobile phones, suspicious passports etc. have so far been recovered from the possession of the accused. Investigation is being carried out.
