ThePrint ThePrintPod: Ludhiana agent ‘settled’ 100 visa cases but bank shows no payouts—ED protests Punjab cops’ probe
Feb 17, 2026
A Ludhiana agent is accused of settling over a hundred visa-fraud complaints while bank records show minimal payouts. The Enforcement Directorate questions how large purchases were made from declared low income. Courts have ordered further probes amid allegations of witness tampering, flawed police investigation, and mismatched account credits versus collected fees.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Mass Settlement Despite Thin Bank Records
- Nitesh Khai settled 108 of 112 visa-fraud cases by compensating complainants and getting police to close matters.
- His bank showed only Rs 22 lakh and no outflows, raising questions about how payments were made.
Predicate Offence Threatens Money-Laundering Case
- The ED flagged that quashed FIRs could collapse money-laundering proceedings without a predicate offence.
- The court rejected the police cancellation report and ordered further investigation.
Property Buys Outstrip Declared Income
- ED found Khai bought properties worth crores despite declaring only Rs 22 lakh income for 2015–2018.
- This discrepancy suggested proceeds of crime funded property purchases.