According to the CBI statement, it was alleged that the two accused who earlier worked in the Visa Department of the Embassy of France conspired with others and perpetrated visa fraud during the period from Jan 1 to May 6, 2022.

According to the CBI statement, it was alleged that the two accused who earlier worked in the Visa Department of the Embassy of France conspired with others and perpetrated visa fraud during the period from Jan 1 to May 6, 2022.

It was further alleged that in pursuance to the said criminal conspiracy, applicants from Punjab and Jammu submitted fake and forged letters purportedly written by a private company based at Bengaluru to the Consulate General of France, Bengaluru for issuing entry visas, for their joining private companies in Port-Le-Havre, France.

On being approached by the applicants the said two officials in the Visa Department of the Embassy allegedly issued Entry Visas in favour of three other accused after taking alleged gratification of Rs 50 thousand per Visa, without the knowledge and approval of the Head of Visa Department.

It was also alleged that after the issuance of the entry visa, the said two officials displaced/destroyed the documents from the Visa Department, a CBI statement said.

During the period of five months, several files were allegedly handled by these accused which mostly pertain to individuals, young farmers or unemployed people from Punjab who had not earlier travelled.

It was further alleged that during the said period, the accused had perpetrated the fraud of huge amounts in the Visa Department of the Embassy, it added.

Searches were conducted on Friday at six locations including Delhi, Patiala, Gurdaspur and Jammu at the premises of the accused. Incriminating documents/articles including laptops, mobile phones, and suspicious passports have so far been recovered.