A clandestine extortion scheme masquerading as visa brokerage has been exposed in Kolkata, with two arrests following the daring rescue of Bangladeshi nationals.
Techocity police’s Monday raid on a hotel yielded two freed hostages—Rajiv Laskar and Junaid Mia—and the capture of Humayun Kabir and Achintya Kumar Pal. The Bangladeshis, legally in India en route to Turkey, were betrayed by the very agents they trusted.
Kabir facilitated the introduction to Pal, who promised seamless documentation. Lured inside, the men were imprisoned, milked for Rs 3 lakh transferred overseas, and squeezed further.
Confidential intelligence prompted the intervention, transforming a seedy hotel into a crime scene under flashing lights. The accused now confront charges of unlawful confinement and financial coercion.
Barasat Court saw their presentation Tuesday, with police securing interrogation time. A Bidhannagar official detailed the roadmap: ‘Further custody to map the network. Past crimes under scanner too.’
This episode underscores the dark underbelly of irregular migration. Aspiring workers, chasing prosperity abroad, stumble into predators who thrive on deception.
Victims’ tales fuel calls for regulatory overhaul—mandatory agent licensing, real-time visa tracking, and joint ops with Bangladesh. Until then, Kolkata’s guardians stand vigilant, ensuring justice prevails over exploitation.