The NIA has arrested Gagandeep Singh, a key figure in illegal immigration to the US via the ‘dunki’ route. Goldie allegedly charged Rs 45 lakh to smuggle a victim from Punjab in December 2024, who was later deported from the US. Investigations revealed exploitation and violence during the journey, highlighting the dangers associated with illegal immigration.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has apprehended Gagandeep Singh, also known as Goldie, a significant suspect linked to the illegal transportation of an individual to the United States via the ‘dunki’ route. This route, believed to derive its name from “donkey,” signifies an unauthorized path utilized by immigrants seeking to enter the United States without valid documentation, often under the auspices of human-trafficking networks.
According to the NIA’s official statement issued on Sunday, Goldie, a resident of Tilak Nagar in West Delhi, allegedly received approximately Rs 45 lakh from a victim hailing from Tarn Taran district in Punjab for his assistance with illegal immigration. The victim undertook this perilous journey on the ‘dunki’ route in December 2024.
After being deported back to India by US authorities on February 15, the victim lodged a complaint against Goldie. Initially, the Punjab Police registered the case, after which it was transferred to the NIA on March 13 for further investigation. The NIA’s findings indicated that Goldie operated without a license or any legal permissions to facilitate overseas migration, using the ‘dunki’ route through multiple countries, including Spain, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico.
The NIA also revealed that Goldie’s associates, referred to as “donkers,” resorted to violence and exploitation against the victim during the perilous transit, including theft of the dollars the victim carried. In response to inquiries in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh confirmed that 636 Indian nationals have been deported from the US to India since January 2025.
In conclusion, the NIA’s arrest of Gagandeep Singh highlights the ongoing challenges of human trafficking via the ‘dunki’ route. This case underscores the serious risks faced by individuals seeking illegal immigration and the urgency of addressing such criminal syndicates. The NIA’s investigation also points to the broader issue of undocumented immigration affecting Indian nationals.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
