The Airport Police have booked a couple hailing from Kalol for possessing fake arrival and departure stamps from Mumbai airport on their passports.
The city’s Airport Police filed a complaint against Nagin and Priya Patel, along with their travel agents, Anil and Haresh Patel, late Saturday night. According to the FIR, the Foreigners Registration Office reported the case after the couple was caught on July 14 while attempting to board a flight to Singapore from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) Airport. Nagin and Priya’s passports showed departure and arrival stamps dated December 5 and December 15, 2021, respectively.
During the immigration check, it was found that these travel details did not match the immigration system records. Further verification with Mumbai’s immigration check-posts confirmed that the stamps were counterfeit. Upon questioning, the couple revealed that their travel agents, Anil and Haresh, had placed the fake stamps to expedite their Singapore visa process. A complaint of forgery, cheating, and abetment has been registered against all four individuals.
An Airport police officer explained that this tactic is often used by travel agents to deceive visa officials by presenting applicants as legitimate travelers.