Haryana Professor Arrested at Mumbai Airport for Human Trafficking

A professor from a private university in Haryana has been arrested at Mumbai International Airport on suspicion of human trafficking after authorities discovered he was attempting to take seven youths to the United Kingdom under false pretenses. The group, which included three minors, was allegedly part of a fraudulent "student exchange program" that charged each person 20 lakh rupees for passage to London. 

Suspicion Arose During Immigration Check 

The scheme unraveled on Monday around 12:30 PM when two young men presented their passports and UK visitor visas at the immigration counter. When questioned about their trip, they claimed to be students from a Haryana university traveling to London for a student exchange program with their professor. However, immigration officers became suspicious when the youths couldn't provide satisfactory answers about what courses they were studying or which London university they would be attending. 

"The answers provided were vague and inconsistent," a police official said. "This raised immediate red flags about the authenticity of their travel purpose." 

Investigation Revealed Larger Group 

Upon further investigation, authorities discovered that the professor wasn't just traveling with the two youths who initially raised suspicion, but with a group of seven young people from Punjab and Haryana. Among them were three minors, adding another serious dimension to the case.

"When confronted, the professor claimed he was working at the direction of two colleagues from the vocational department of his university," the investigating officer explained. "He admitted to meeting with an agent named Bittu at a Delhi hotel, where the arrangement was made with the seven youths who were eager to settle in the UK." 

Financial Transactions and False Documentation 

During interrogation, the professor revealed that each person had paid 20 lakh rupees to the agent named Bittu for the illegal passage. Police believe the professor obtained the visas by providing false information about a student exchange program that didn't exist. "The professor brought the seven youths from Delhi to Mumbai and planned to travel with them to London via Jeddah," said the police. "We have evidence that suggests he misrepresented their purpose of travel to obtain visitor visas."

The authorities have notified the parents of the minors involved in the scheme. While the seven youths were initially detained, they were later released on court orders. The professor remains in custody as investigations continue.

Police are now working to verify the professor's claims about his university affiliation and to identify others involved in what appears to be an organized human trafficking operation. They are particularly concerned about the agent named Bittu and the alleged accomplices at the university who may be part of a larger network.

"This case highlights how vulnerable young people are being exploited by those they trust, including educators," a senior police official commented. "We're determined to uncover the full extent of this network."