McLeodganj centre owner in police net for ‘human trafficking’
In a dramatic development amid the ongoing 90th birthday celebrations of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday raided the premises of a local communication centre owner in McLeodganj and arrested him. The raid is linked to heightened security concerns surrounding the visit of several VVIPs attending the Dalai Lama’s week-long birthday celebrations.
Sources in the NIA revealed that the suspect has been arrested on charges of human trafficking. He is also suspected to have overseas links, the investigation of which was in progress.
The arrested youth has been identified as 32-year old Sunny, son of Ghindro Ram, who runs a communication centre near the Dalai Lama’s temple. He is reportedly married to a Mexican national Christina Mendoza Bautista who has been living with him in McLeodganj for several years.
The ASP of Kangra district, Aditi Singh, while confirming the arrest, said that the NIA team contacted the district police on Thursday and sought help to conduct the raids. Subsequently, the SHO of Dharamsala police station was deputed with the NIA team.
She said the NIA team led by an Inspector-level officer, after arresting Sunny, produced him before a local court and took him to Chandigarh on a transit remand. The details of arrest and seizures were recorded in the daily dairy register of the local police station.
She said as per the information provided by the NIA, an FIR under sections 143, 238, 318 and 61 (2) of the BNS and section 13(2) of the Punjab Travel Professionals Regulation Act, 2012 has been registered by the NIA against him at Chandigarh.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that the central agency has seized several items, including documents, computers, hard drives and mobile phones from Sunny’s communication centre and residence for forensic examination.
It is learnt that he allegedly used to send Punjabi youths to the USA through Mexico using donkey route. His name reportedly surfaced in human trafficking after the USA deported many illegal immigrant Indians back to the country early this year.
The sources revealed that Sunny’s bank transactions and foreign exchange activities were also under the scanner. His possible connection with overseas individuals who could be linked to Khalistani networks, were also under investigation.
Himachal Tribune