Navi Mumbai, Dec 31: The Navi Mumbai Police Crime Branch has busted an overseas job fraud racket by raiding three bogus HR and manpower supply companies in CBD Belapur that were allegedly cheating unemployed youth by luring them with foreign job offers without possessing the mandatory licence from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). During the coordinated operation, police seized 154 passports and arrested eight persons.

The action followed a tip-off received by MEA official Rajeshkumar, who alerted the Navi Mumbai Police after learning that several offices in CBD Belapur were illegally collecting money from job aspirants and falsely promising employment abroad despite lacking the required MEA authorisation.

Acting on the information, Crime Branch Unit-2, under the leadership of Senior Police Inspector Anil Patil, formed three teams and conducted simultaneous raids on December 26.

Police raided HR Global at Vishnu Complex in Sector 15, Vision Arabia HR Solution at Hilton Centre in Sector 11, and Bright Tech Marine Services at Sai Chambers.

During the searches, officers recovered 136 passports from HR Global, 18 passports from Bright Tech Marine Services, and several important documents from Vision Arabia HR Solution.

Investigations revealed that the owners and staff of all three firms were operating without the mandatory MEA licence and were illegally charging candidates while making false promises of overseas employment.

Accordingly, the Crime Branch registered a case at CBD Police Station under Sections 318(2) and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Sections 10 and 24 of the Emigration Act, 1983.

The arrested accused include Rochak Joshi (30), Sachin Sathale (45), Amit Kadam (41), Devidas Dhangar (38), Sagar Chorat (33) and three others.

“The accused were running fake recruitment operations and collecting passports and money from candidates without any legal authority to send Indian citizens abroad for employment. We have seized a large number of passports and documents, and further investigation is underway to identify more victims,” said Senior Police Inspector Anil Patil.

Police said the exact number of people cheated by the racket is yet to be ascertained, and efforts are underway to trace victims of the fraud.

Meanwhile, the Navi Mumbai Police have urged citizens to remain cautious and verify the MEA licence of any overseas recruitment agency before making payments, warning that strict action will be taken against those involved in such fraudulent activities.

Kolkata, Dec 31: A “proxy” candidate appearing in the recruitment exam for Kolkata Police Sub-Inspector was caught red-handed in the city, police said on Wednesday.

According to police, Lakhai Ghosh, who was not the aspirant, appeared for the exam.

The fraud came to light when the signature on the admit card and that of Ghosh mismatched.

The actual aspirant was Abdul Khaleque, the police said.

Ghosh, who hails from Murshidabad, was sitting for the inspector’s recruitment exam on Khaleque’s behalf.

Ghosh had managed to sit for the exam without attracting attention. However, the examiner noticed that his face did not match the photograph on the admit card, raising suspicion. Soon, other documents were verified.

That’s when the discrepancy was discovered. It was found that Ghosh’s signature did not match the signature on the document.

Police officers immediately detained Ghosh and began questioning him.

Reports suggest that both hailed from Murshidabad and met there.

“The person who has appeared on behalf of the actual candidate has been arrested. He is being questioned,” said the police.

Police sources said the officers are trying to find the actual candidate who was supposed to appear in the examination. A search has started to catch him and bring him face-to-face with the proxy candidate.

Police are trying to find out whether any financial arrangement was made between the two and if a racket was behind the conspiracy.

It is worth mentioning that earlier, allegations of malpractice had surfaced surrounding the written examination for the Kolkata Police constable recruitment.

Several individuals were arrested in connection with that incident. Moreover, Gaighata Police arrested 12 people on charges of supplying fraudulent materials to the examination centres.

Bluetooth devices, electronic gadgets, and other incriminating items were recovered from those arrested.

Furthermore, during the investigation, the authorities uncovered a large-scale racket of “proxy” candidates.

Patna, Dec 30: A stir has been created in the Bihar Revenue and Land Reforms Department following strict action initiated by Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue and Land Reforms Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha.

The situation has escalated to the extent that some officials, fearing action, have written to the Governor and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, seeking intervention.

However, Vijay Kumar Sinha has categorically stated that he will not bow to any pressure.

Responding to the unrest and resentment among officials, the Deputy Chief Minister, on Tuesday, said that the government is working solely in the interest of the people and has no intention of hurting anyone.

“Our intentions are absolutely clear. The objective is to reform the Revenue and Land Reforms Department so that it serves the public better,” he said.

Referring to the Muzaffarpur land scam, Vijay Sinha said that agricultural land was illegally transferred with the connivance of officials.

He recalled that during his tenure as Agriculture Minister, he had ordered action against the Circle Officer (CO) involved and directed that an appeal be filed in court.

“I have now taken fresh cognisance of the matter as Revenue Minister, and those responsible for creating unnecessary disputes over undisputed government land will not be spared,” Sinha said.

On officials going on leave during public interaction programs of the Revenue and Land Reforms Department in districts, Vijay Sinha said, “Once systemic reforms are implemented, the welfare of everyone—including honest officials—will be ensured.”

After assuming charge of the Revenue and Land Reforms Department, Vijay Kumar Sinha is in action mode.

He has been taking meetings of the department district-wise and making decisions on the spot.

Responding to a question on Naxalism, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said that under the leadership of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Naxalism has been almost completely eradicated from the country.

He added that if governance under such leadership is ensured across all states, the menace of Naxalism and extremism would be eliminated.