In a swift operation, Kolkata Police has dismantled a brazen human trafficking racket operating under the guise of visa services. Two Bangladeshi nationals were rescued from captivity in a city hotel, while the prime accused were taken into custody.
The drama unfolded at a nondescript hotel in the Techocity area, where officers from the local police station raided the premises on Monday evening. Acting on a tip-off, the team stormed the location and freed Rajiv Laskar and Junaid Mia, who had been held hostage for days.
The victims had arrived in India on valid visas with dreams of traveling to Turkey. They connected with a broker named Achintya Kumar Pal through Humayun Kabir, another Bangladeshi national. Promised quick visa assistance, the duo was lured to the hotel, only to be confined and extorted.
Demanding a staggering three lakh rupees, the perpetrators forced the money to be transferred from a Bangladeshi bank account. Even after payment, the harassment continued with fresh demands for more cash.
Police sources revealed that the accused duo showed no signs of relenting until law enforcement intervened. Both Humayun Kabir and Achintya Pal were arrested on charges of illegal detention and extortion.
A senior official from Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate confirmed the arrests, stating, ‘We have them in custody for detailed questioning. Investigations are underway to uncover any larger network or previous crimes.’
The duo was produced before the Barasat Court in North 24 Parganas on Tuesday. Authorities suspect this might not be an isolated incident, vowing to dig deeper into the syndicate’s operations.
This case highlights the growing menace of fake visa agents preying on migrant dreams, underscoring the need for stricter vigilance at international borders and robust crackdowns on such criminal elements.