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'Dunki Route' Traffickers Denied Bail: Punjab & Haryana HC Slams Organized US Smuggling Racket
In a stern rebuff to appeals for regular bail, the has dismissed pleas by Gagandeep Singh @ Goldy and Shubham Sandhal @ Deep Hundi, accused of running a massive human trafficking network funneling migrants to the USA via the perilous "Dunki Route." A division bench of Hon’ble Mr. Justice Gurvinder Singh Gill and Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Ramesh Kumari ruled that the gravity of the offenses—charged under , and —precludes bail, given their international scope and of exploitation.
The took over the probe after victim Gursewak Singh's FIR at Goindwal Sahib police station in Tarn Taran detailed his ₹45 lakh ordeal: promised legal entry to the USA, he was routed through Spain, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico, assaulted by "Donkers" (trafficking associates), robbed, and deported after US Border Patrol detention.
From Promised Dreams to Border Nightmares: The Case Unravels
The saga began in when Gursewak returned penniless and battered, exposing a syndicate allegedly defrauding over 150 victims since 2011, amassing over ₹36 crores. Gagandeep Singh, operating under M/s Sayyesha Holidays, posed as a legitimate agent but dispatched victims on illegal treks involving torture, extortion, and hawala-funded logistics. Shubham Sandhal handled finances, routing ₹11.22 lakhs via cash deposits and digital trails linking to "Donkers" in Mexico.
NIA's RC-04/2025/DLI uncovered bank statements showing crores in suspicious credits/debits across accounts tied to the accused and kin, corroborated by 133 witness statements detailing similar cheats—families paying lakhs for "legal" visas, only to see loved ones stranded, detained, or worse.
Defense: 'Just Cheating, Not Trafficking' – Prosecution Fires Back
Appellants' counsel argued it was mere breach of contract (compoundable under ), with Gursewak compromising via Gagandeep's wife. They highlighted clean antecedents, completed investigation (challan filed , charges framed ), no custodial need, and weak victim links—34 of 38 "victims" in the USA without complaints, others denying harm.
NIA countered fiercely: no simple cheat, but scheduled offense under
triggering takeover. Evidence painted organized crime—victim testimonies of assaults, WhatsApp groups coordinating "Dunki" legs, hawala by Sandhal financing Donkers. Even from jail, Gagandeep allegedly influenced the compromise. As other sources note, offenses carry 10 years to life, demanding denial amid
"systematic exploitation [and] cross-border illegality."
Court's Razor-Sharp Scrutiny: Evidence Trumps Compromise
The bench dissected defenses, affirming NIA material: 52-page bank extracts from Sayyesha Holidays revealed
"transactions of credit and debit of huge amounts,"
plus family accounts funneling victim payments. Witness after witness—from Gurdev Singh (₹17.5 lakhs for son Navtej's failed crossing) to Charanjit Singh (brother tortured en route)—corroborated the racket. Sandhal's ₹11.22 lakhs hawala tied him inextricably.
No precedents directly cited, but the court invoked BNS/UA(P)A gravity, distinguishing isolated cheating from
"large scale human trafficking racket"
with global fallout.
Key Observations
"The bank account statement…pertains to the period fromto, that runs into 52 pages reveals transactions of credit and debit of huge amounts which substantiates the case of prosecution that under the garb of M/S Sayyesha Holidays, accused Gagandeep Singh @ Goldy is allegedly running an immigration business."
"Accused in connivance with his co-accused extorted more than 150 victims through transactions…betweentoby running/operating cheating, extortion and illegal human trafficking racket."
"Because of the international ramification of the human trafficking of migrants into USA soil, and seriousness of allegations against the accused, they are not entitled for grant of benefit of regular bail."
Appeals Dismissed: Trial Expedited, No Bail Relief
"In view of the above discussion, both the appeals are dismissed."
The court clarified observations won't bind trial merits but ordered swift proceedings: schedule witness dates, deploy special messengers, alert police/DA for 142 PWs' attendance (none examined yet, next hearing
).
This ruling signals zero tolerance for "Dunki" syndicates, potentially stiffening bail thresholds in trafficking cases while pushing faster NIA trials. Victims' plight underscores risks of irregular migration, as echoed in reports highlighting the route's deadly toll.
