NEW DELHI:Â In a major action to rein in unlawful activities at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, the IGI Airport unit of the Delhi Police launched an intensive and wide-ranging crackdown in 2025 targeting agents, touts and organised networks allegedly involved in visa and passport frauds, illegal immigration and theft.
During the year-long enforcement drive, more than 130 individuals, including travel agents and facilitators accused of orchestrating visa and passport fraud, were arrested from various parts of the country. Police officials said the action reflected a decisive shift in policing strategy, with investigators placing heightened emphasis on financial probes aimed at tracing and disrupting the flow of illicit funds generated through such crimes.
For the first time, investigating officers were specifically instructed to follow the money trail linked to fraudulent operations. Although a significant portion of the transactions was reportedly conducted in cash, posing substantial challenges, police were able to identify over 100 bank accounts associated with agents suspected of dubious financial dealings. These accounts have since been frozen for debit to prevent further misuse.
In what officials described as a landmark step, an application has been moved before a competent court seeking attachment of property believed to have been acquired using proceeds of criminal activity. Authorities said similar action is in the pipeline against other agents, as assets linked to them are being identified for initiating parallel proceedings.
The objective remains to completely eliminate such activities at Delhi Airport, a senior police officer said, stressing that crippling the financial backbone of criminal networks is essential to ensuring long-term deterrence and preventing their resurgence.
To stop accused persons from escaping the country, as many as 140 Look Out Circulars (LOCs) were issued in 2025 against absconding suspects. Sustained follow-up and coordinated action also resulted in the arrest of 119 Proclaimed Offenders, including several individuals wanted in cases dating back over a decade.
The enforcement drive was not limited to fraud-related offences alone. Police registered more than 300 cases related to touting at the airport, leading to the arrest of over 400 persons. Additionally, more than 60 individuals were apprehended in cases involving theft from passenger baggage and cargo. As part of these investigations, ground handling staff of the concerned airlines were also called in for questioning.
