A police team from Sector 26 Police Station arrested the accused following an FIR — dated May 23 — registered on the complaint of Babita, on behalf of her brother, Vivek Kumar, officials said. (Source: File/ Representational)The Chandigarh Police has arrested two immigration consultants for allegedly duping a complainant and others of Rs 59.92 lakh on the pretext of arranging work permits and job placements in New Zealand, officials said on Wednesday.Police have identified the arrested accused as Yuvraj Sobti (44) and Harneet Walia (41), both residents of Mohali.A police team from Sector 26 Police Station arrested the accused following an FIR — dated May 23 — registered on the complaint of Babita, on behalf of her brother, Vivek Kumar, officials said.The case was registered under BNS Sections 316(2), 318(4), 336(3) and 340(2), and Section 24 of the Immigration Act.Police said the accused were operating a firm, M/s Truway Consultancy Pvt Ltd, from MY SOHO Workspace, Timber Market, Madhya Marg, in Chandigarh.They allegedly lured people by claiming that they would send them to New Zealand for jobs. They allegedly promised to arrange work permits, visa filing and documentation.After collecting the amounts from the victims, police said the accused closed the office and fled. The complainant and others were allegedly duped to the tune of Rs 59,92,000.Story continues below this adPolice also said both the arrested accused were found involved in multiple FIRs related to cheating and immigration fraud dated February 25, 2025; November 19, 2025; December 9, 2025; and May 23, 2026 — at Police Station Sector 26.Further investigation is underway, the officials said.Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula). Professional Background Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases. Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region. Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns: 1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts "12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013. "‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case. "Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification. 2. Investigative & Scams "CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus. "Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh. 3. Environment & Public Safety "Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities. "Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos. 4. Gangster Culture & Crime "City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules. "Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26. Signature Style Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd