(a) whether 50 per cent of the documents submitted in support of the visa applications at U.S.
consulate in Chennai are fake;
(b) if so, whether most of the fraudulent documents originate from Hyderabad based consultancies
and agents;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether several visa agents wanted in cases booked by the U.S. consulate in Chennai are from
Hyderabad; and
(e) if so, the deterrent action the Ministry is contemplating against such visa agents?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS(DR. SHAKEEL AHMAD)
(a) to (e): The Government of Tamil Nadu has intimated that the office of the United States (US)
Consulate General, Chennai has given a report to the Commissioner of Police, Chennai on 11.3.2008
alleging that one Christal Jayaraj Palies has committed fraud by assisting at least three persons
in applying illegally for US visas and attempting to smuggle one Sasikumar Kaniyan of Kerala
into US for illegal purpose. After preliminary enquiries, a case has been registered by Chennai
Police and detailed investigation has been taken up. The US Consulate has furnished only the
names of the applicants who had applied for visas and the Consulate has been requested to
furnish copies of the visa applications for further probe. The said Christal Jayaraj Palies is
absconding and a special Police team has been formed to trace him.The extent of involvement of
Hyderabad based visa agents in the case is not known at this stage.