Click to play videoNew Delhi:The TSI-IBN network Special Investigation on the fake passport and visa racket has made investigating agencies sit up and take notice.
The tout that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) spoke to has been arrested and his interrogation is leading to the unraveling of a far wider network.
The investigation showed just how easy it was to get a passport made for one of the most wanted terrorists in the world and how deep-rooted was the racket.
The SIT was able to get a Nepalese passport made for as little as Rs 70, 000 in the name of Zahoor Iqbal Mistry - the mastermind behind the hijacking of IC 814.
What was shocking was that the passport was obtained from Kathmandu itself.
Investigating agencies went into overdrive as soon as the story was aired on CNN-IBN. Dharma, the tout, who was named in the special investigation has been arrested and he has revealed more names to the CBI.
CBI spokesperson G Mohanty told CNN-IBN, "Dharma is not running the racket alone. There are other people involved."
However, the CBI is refusing to reveal the names of the people who are involved. Experts have admitted though that the fake passport racket is a cross border problem.
Says CBI Jointt Director (Retd), M K Dhar, "Nepalese passports are easily available in Delhi. They are even more easily available in places like Bahraich and Gorakhpur.''
Using fake passports was one of the ways in which BJP MP, Babubhai Katara - who was arrested from the international airport in Delhi last week - managed to carry on his trade of human trafficking.
However, now that the racket has been brought to light, the Centre has announced that anyone caught using fake passports will be spending a long time in jail, not to mention the heavy penalties which will be imposed.
(With inputs from Anu Jogesh)
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