ED filed money laundering prosecution against immigration firms in Punjab

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ED's action against immigration firms

Highlights

On 13.07.2026, ED filed a prosecution complaint under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against seven accused, including M/s Red Leaf Immigration Pvt. Ltd.
The investigation revealed that around 4 million rupees were temporarily deposited and withdrawn as fake fund proof for 154 applicants, with 40,000 rupees collected per applicant.
After assessing proceeds of crime at about 21.4 million rupees, movable and immovable assets were frozen, including the seizure of 1.9 million rupees in cash and a 1-kilogram gold bar.

This article was translated from the original. Read the original version by our correspondent here.

Scope of Prosecution Complaint and Investigation

As stated by the Enforcement Directorate, the Jalandhar Zonal Office filed a prosecution complaint under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, before the Special Court, Jalandhar, on 13.07.2026 against M/s Red Leaf Immigration Pvt. Ltd., Amandeep Singh, Poonam Rani, Ankur Kumar Kehar, Nitin Vij, Kamaljot Kansal, M/s Overseas Partner, and M/s Rudra Consultancy Services. The agency claims these parties were allegedly involved in legitimizing proceeds of crime generated from organized immigration and visa fraud.

ED initiated this investigation based on multiple FIRs registered with Punjab Police and Delhi Police, following complaints from the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. These FIRs mention a conspiracy to obtain student and visitor visas by preparing and submitting forged educational certificates, fabricated experience letters, fake financial statements, and fraudulent fund proofs.

The investigation also revealed that M/s Overseas Partner, operated by Ankur Kumar Kehar, in alleged conspiracy with Nitin Vij's M/s Rudra Consultancy Services, temporarily deposited funds in visa applicants' bank accounts to falsely project their financial capacity. According to ED, around 40 lakh rupees were temporarily deposited and immediately withdrawn from the accounts of 154 applicants as fake fund proof, with about 40,000 rupees charged per applicant.

The agency also stated that Kamaljot Kansal's M/s Infowiz Software Solution allegedly prepared fake training, internship, and experience certificates for applicants who had not actually undergone such training or employment. Seized diaries and other records reportedly support the preparation of fake employment documents in exchange for cash payments.

Seizure, Asset Freezing, and Regional Impact

During the investigation in February 2025, ED searched several premises and lockers linked to the accused under Section 17 of the PMLA. These searches led to the seizure of incriminating documents, digital devices, diaries recording alleged illegal transactions, unaccounted cash of 1.9 million rupees, and a gold bar weighing approximately 1 kilogram.

ED has assessed the proceeds of crime at about 21.4 million rupees, including 13.7 million from M/s Red Leaf Immigration Pvt. Ltd., 6.16 million from M/s Overseas Partner and M/s Rudra Consultancy Services, and 1.5 million from M/s Infowiz Software Solution. During the investigation, the agency has provisionally attached or frozen movable and immovable assets equivalent to this amount, including residential properties and bank balances.

This case signals increased regulatory pressure on Punjab's immigration consultancy and visa service sector, especially on operations where risks of irregularities in document verification, fund proof, and applicant profiling are high. ED states that the investigation establishes that the accused allegedly acquired, concealed, and used proceeds of crime through forged educational documents, fake experience certificates, fabricated financial statements, and fraudulent fund proofs, presenting them as legitimate assets.

Our previous report covered ED's action in a case related to alleged money laundering and extortion/levy payments in Latehar, Jharkhand, where about 38.7 million rupees worth of 11 immovable properties of M/s Santosh Construction and associates were provisionally attached. The article highlighted the basis of two FIRs and NIA's investigation, allegations of Maoist attacks and cash seizures, and the direction of the probe into integrating proceeds of crime into the formal economy through property purchases.

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