French embassy visa fraud: CBI chargesheet filed against eight accused; Interpol silver notice issued to trace assets abroad
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The Central Bureau of Investigation has submitted a chargesheet against eight individuals in connection with a visa fraud case linked to the French Embassy in New Delhi. Those named include a Local Law Officer in the embassy's visa division, along with his wife, brother, father, two agents, and two intermediaries. The charges were filed before a special CBI court in the capital.As per the agency's findings, the scheme ran from January 2021 to May 2022. The official at the centre of the case is alleged to have exploited his position by facilitating Schengen visas for applicants from Punjab. These individuals were approached through a network of agents and asked to pay sums ranging from ₹13 lakh to ₹45 lakh for visa approvals.Following the issuance of the visas, the CBI stated that the original application records were deliberately destroyed. During searches carried out in both Delhi and Punjab, investigators recovered significant cash and documentation indicating ownership of high-value properties, some of which are suspected to be located outside India.The investigation also found that payments collected from visa seekers were channelled through various bank accounts before reaching the official and his relatives, aided by the two middlemen.(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)To trace assets suspected to be held overseas, the CBI coordinated with international enforcement bodies and managed to secure India's first Interpol Silver Notice in this case. The notice is intended to assist in locating illicit proceeds held beyond Indian borders.The agency noted that the operation involved extensive coordination with national and foreign institutions to gather evidence. It reiterated its ongoing focus on tackling cross-border financial crimes and protecting Indian nationals from exploitation by organised networks.
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