Indian law enforcement agencies are investigating links between colleges in Canada and two entities in Mumbai accused of illegally ferrying students across the border. The allegations have not been tested in court, but Indian officials launched the investigation after a family was found dead near a border crossing between Manitoba and the United States. Two men, Steve Shand of Florida and Harshkumar Patel, were found guilty of bringing unauthorized people into the U.S., with only seven of the 11 Indian migrants they attempted to transport surviving the journey. Bhavesh Ashokbhai Patel allegedly arranged the travel of the family, charging between $93,000 and $102,000 per person to cross into the United States from Canada.
Named the Dingucha case after the family’s village in India, the Enforcement Directorate has searched several locations in Mumbai, Nagpur, Gandhinagar, and Vadodara. Bhavesh Ashokbhai Patel is accused of arranging students’ admission to Canadian colleges, aiding them in obtaining student visas. However, instead of attending the colleges, the students allegedly crossed the U.S.-Canada border, prompting the return of their college admission fees. The investigation found that two entities referred over 35,000 students annually to colleges outside India, with about 112 colleges associated with one entity and more than 150 with the other. Anil Pratham, a former police official involved in the case, emphasized the importance of following legal and proper channels to study or work abroad to avoid illegal acts.
The investigation has been ongoing since the Patel family’s tragic incident in January 2022, involving cooperation between Indian and international law enforcement agencies. The release did not specify the colleges involved, opening the investigation into potential relationships between the colleges and the entities accused of human trafficking. The allegations have highlighted tensions between the U.S. and Canada over border security, international student policy, and diplomatic tensions with India over alleged targeting of Sikh activists in Canada. The incoming U.S. President has threatened tariffs on Canadian goods if border security is not improved, leading Canada to address its border security with a substantial budget.
The collaboration between Indian and international law enforcement agencies led to a comprehensive investigation into the alleged human trafficking operations associated with Canadian colleges and Indian entities. The search has uncovered a network of agents and colleges involved in facilitating the illegal crossings of students from Canada to the United States. The investigation has raised concerns about border security and highlighted the need for proper channels for Indian students wishing to study abroad. The ongoing investigation underscores the importance of cooperation between countries to combat human trafficking and maintain the integrity of immigration and border policies against illegal activities.
