_edited.png){kind=small}
By Jessica Thakur
June 10, 2023
In a significant turn of events, the Canadian government has decided to suspend the deportation of hundreds of Indian students who were at risk of being expelled from the country. The decision came after Aam Aadmi Party leader Vikramjit Singh Sahney made a request on their behalf, highlighting their innocence in a visa scam.
The unrest began on June 5 when Canadian authorities initiated deportation proceedings against Lovepreet Singh, one of the students implicated in the scandal. Singh, along with approximately 700 other Indian students, fell victim to a consultant named Brijesh Mishra from Jalandhar, who facilitated their admission to Canadian colleges and universities using fabricated documents.
Upon discovering the falsified visa papers of Lovepreet Singh, the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) ordered him to leave the country by June 13. This incident sparked outrage among the Indian student community, leading to protests in Toronto.
However, the situation took a positive turn when Vikramjit Singh Sahney, also the International President of the World Punjabi Organization, intervened by submitting a request to the Canadian government. As a result, the deportation process for all 700 students has been suspended indefinitely.
"We have written to them and we have explained to them that these students have not done any forgery or fraud. They are victims of fraud because some unauthorized agents issued fake admission letters and receipts of payments. Visas were also applied without any checking," stated Sahney. He emphasized that the students were innocent and had unknowingly become victims of a fraudulent scheme.
The duplicitous activities were orchestrated by Brijesh Mishra, a consultant based in Jalandhar, who deceived the students by providing counterfeit offer letters from reputed colleges and universities in Canada. The victims, unaware of the scam, proceeded with their plans to study in the country, only to face potential deportation due to the fraudulent nature of their documents.
In response to the mounting concern, Punjab NRI Affairs Minister Kuldip Singh Dhaliwal has sought the intervention of India's External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar. Dhaliwal also expressed his desire to personally meet with Minister Jaishankar to discuss the matter in detail. In his letter, Dhaliwal urged the minister to address the issue with the relevant Canadian authorities and ensure the students are saved from deportation.
In light of the recent events, Dhaliwal advised the people of Punjab to exercise caution before pursuing studies abroad or engaging travel agents. He emphasized the importance of thoroughly verifying the credibility of colleges and agents involved in the process to prevent falling victim to fraudulent schemes.
The decision to temporarily halt the deportation of the affected Indian students has brought a sigh of relief to the community, offering hope for a resolution that takes into account their victimhood in the visa scam. As the situation unfolds, further updates are expected regarding the steps taken by both Indian and Canadian authorities to address the issue and protect the interests of the affected students.
Comments