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Mohali: CBI court denies anticipatory bail to man in human-trafficking case
A special CBI court in Mohali dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of the accused, linked to a human-trafficking network. The FIR was registered in October 2023, involving an overseas job racket, and the victim Ravinder Singh was sent abroad in 2010 and remains missing with no U.S. entry record. The court said custodial interrogation is necessary to determine the accused's role and advance the investigation.
Why It Matters
The ruling underscores ongoing efforts to tackle human-trafficking networks and emphasizes the role of custodial interrogation in pursuing information about missing victims in cross-border cases.
Timeline
3 Events
Anticipatory bail plea rejected by CBI court in Mohali
May 3, 2026
A special CBI court in Mohali dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of the accused, Pardeep Kumar. The court noted prima facie active involvement in the trafficking network and held custodial interrogation is necessary to ascertain the accused's role and obtain information about the missing victim. The prosecution argued the accused was in contact with main suspects, had knowledge of the victim's whereabouts, and had not cooperated with investigators. It was also noted that the accused had, on similar pretexts, taken ₹50,000 from another individual and had claimed the victim could be detained in Mexico, demanding around USD 2,000 for facilitating his release.
FIR registered by CBI
October 31, 2023
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered an FIR on October 31, 2023, following directions from the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The probe concerns an alleged racket where agents lured people with promises of overseas jobs and sent them abroad through illegal routes.
Victim sent abroad in 2010
2010
Victim Ravinder Singh was allegedly sent abroad in 2010 after his family paid ₹20 lakh to agents. He travelled from Delhi to Nicaragua and Guatemala but has remained untraceable since; U.S. authorities have reported no record of his entry.