HC directs CBI to take up probe of cheating job-seekers

Kochi, June 5 (UNI) The Kerala High Court today directed the CBI to take over the investigation of the case relating to forgery and cheating allegedly committed by a Mumbai-based recruiting agency.

Justice K Padmanabhan Nair said that the CBI can seek necessary assistance from the Protector of Emigrants and also move the Court for further directions if necessary.

The allegation was that M/S Yanbo Associates Travel Services, Mumbai, having permit under the Emigration Act for recruiting Indian workers for foreign employment, forged documents, presented the same as employment permit of foreign employers and collected amounts varying from Rs 80,000 to Rs 3,00,000 thereby cheating 1,500 applicants. The travel agency thus obtained not less than Rs 20 crore.

It was submitted that Yanbo Associates managing director P C Cherian, general manager Kiran Chandrasekharan and office manager Preetha after collecting the amount absconded on the date of departure of the recruited persons.

In the writ petition filed by Joby Lukose Powathil, Kaipuzha, it was stated that the recruiting agency, after opening branches in Coimbatore and Kochi last year, invited applications for employment opportunities in the Gulf countries, UK and Cyprus and cheated the job seekers by giving them forged documents.

UNI XR PMM RK/VS1833