<p>Gujarat Director General of Police Vikas Sahay on Monday refuted reports that a two-year-old boy on board the Nicaragua-bound flight that was sent back to India from France had gone missing.</p>

<p>The Nicaragua-bound aircraft, an Airbus A340, carrying 276 passengers, was grounded in France for four days over suspected human trafficking. It landed in Mumbai in the early hours on December 26.</p>

<p>"The news report (claiming the child is untraceable) is incorrect. Our officers checked the records of passengers and found out the boy had already returned home with his parents," said Sahay.</p>

<p>As per news reports that appeared during the day, the two-year-old boy was not accompanied by anyone during the flight and had gone untraceable.</p>

<p>Some 60 passengers are from Gujarat and many of them have been questioned by the CID-Crime in a bid to unearth a suspected illegal immigration network operating from the state, officials had said earlier.</p>

<p>They are being questioned to find out whether they had any plans to cross into the USA illegally after reaching Latin America, officials had said some days ago.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-donkey-flights-what-it-means-and-the-modus-operandi-behind-risky-border-crossings-674766">Also read |&nbsp;Explained | 'Donkey flights': What it means and the modus operandi behind risky border crossings</a></p>

<p>"They were sent back from France. Now there was a rumour they had planned to enter into the US illegally after landing at Nicaragua. In their statements, they told us that they were going there as tourists. We are going into the details to find out who were agents behind their trip," Additional Director General of Police, CID-Crime and Railways, S P Rajkumar, had said on December 29.</p>

<p>The chartered flight, which was operated by Romanian charter company Legend Airlines and bound for Nicaragua, landed at Vatry near Paris on December 21 for a technical stopover en route from Dubai when the French police intervened.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas | France donkey flight: The mystery deepens</strong></div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">&nbsp;</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-france-donkey-flight-the-mystery-deepens-673831/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>French authorities launched a judicial investigation into the conditions and purpose of the trip, with a unit specialising in organised crime investigating suspected human trafficking.</p>

<p>Nicaragua has become a popular destination for those seeking asylum in the US.</p>


Gujarat Director General of Police Vikas Sahay on Monday refuted reports that a two-year-old boy on board the Nicaragua-bound flight that was sent back to India from France had gone missing.

Gujarat Director General of Police Vikas Sahay on Monday refuted reports that a two-year-old boy on board the Nicaragua-bound flight that was sent back to India from France had gone missing. The Nicaragua-bound aircraft, an Airbus A340, carrying 276 passengers, was grounded in France for four days over suspected human trafficking. It landed in Mumbai in the early hours on December 26. "The news report (claiming the child is untraceable) is incorrect. Our officers checked the records of passengers and found out the boy had already returned home with his parents," said Sahay. As per news reports that appeared during the day, the two-year-old boy was not accompanied by anyone during the flight and had gone untraceable. Some 60 passengers are from Gujarat and many of them have been questioned by the CID-Crime in a bid to unearth a suspected illegal immigration network operating from the state, officials had said earlier. They are being questioned to find out whether they had any plans to cross into the USA illegally after reaching Latin America, officials had said some days ago. Also read | Explained | 'Donkey flights': What it means and the modus operandi behind risky border crossings "They were sent back from France. Now there was a rumour they had planned to enter into the US illegally after landing at Nicaragua. In their statements, they told us that they were going there as tourists. We are going into the details to find out who were agents behind their trip," Additional Director General of Police, CID-Crime and Railways, S P Rajkumar, had said on December 29. The chartered flight, which was operated by Romanian charter company Legend Airlines and bound for Nicaragua, landed at Vatry near Paris on December 21 for a technical stopover en route from Dubai when the French police intervened. Also watch | Gravitas | France donkey flight: The mystery deepens French authorities launched a judicial investigation into the conditions and purpose of the trip, with a unit specialising in organised crime investigating suspected human trafficking. Nicaragua has become a popular destination for those seeking asylum in the US.

Child on board ‘donkey flight’ not missing, reports are false: Gujarat top cop

<p>Police authorities from India’s western state of Gujarat grilled at least&nbsp;20 passengers who were on the Nicaragua-bound flight in France, after the plane with over 300 on board was grounded over suspicions of human trafficking following a tip off.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The interrogation was done to find out if some sort of illegal immigration network was running, media reports said citing a senior official.</p>

<p>This comes after the French court finally allowed the passengers to leave France four days, following which the Nicaragua-bound aircraft, an Airbus A340, landed in Mumbai on December 26.</p>

<p>The plane landed in Mumbai had a total of 276 passengers onboard. Reports citing a top state Crime Investigation Department (CID) official, said that at least 60 out of the total passengers were from Gujarat. These people have already arrived in their native state and their interrogation is undergoing.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/isro-2023-rewind-to-the-moon-and-back-in-preparation-for-chandrayaan-4-674908">ISRO 2023 Rewind - To the Moon and back, in preparation for Chandrayaan-4</a></p>

<p>Notably, the police authorities are trying to find out if these people boarded a '<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-donkey-flights-what-it-means-and-the-modus-operandi-behind-risky-border-crossings-674766">donkey flight</a>' to seek entry into the US and if they aspired to do that after reaching Latin America.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"They were sent back from France. There was a rumour they had planned to enter the US illegally after landing in Nicaragua. In their statements, they told us they were going there as tourists. We are going into the details to find out who were the agents behind their trip," S P Rajkumar, Additional Director General of Police, CID - Crime and Railways, reportedly said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The top IPS officer said,&nbsp;"We are verifying their documents to ascertain whether they used genuine or forged documents to proceed to Central America. We will also check their financial transactions because, ideally, they should not have paid more if they were going there as normal tourists and not with any other intention."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/israel-embassy-blast-delhi-police-registers-fir-against-unknown-individuals-investigation-so-far-674883">Israeli Embassy blast | Delhi Police registers FIR against unknown individuals. Investigation so far...</a></p>

<p>"Though we have started questioning, no one is divulging facts. They claim they went there as tourists. We are investigating the case from all angles," he added.</p>

<h2><strong>Four teams formed&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>CID has already created a total of four teams&nbsp;to probe the matter, as per Superintendent of Police, CID (Crime), Sanjay Kharat.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/paks-response-to-indias-request-no-bilateral-extradition-treaty-exists-674884">Pak's response to India's request: No bilateral extradition treaty exists</a></strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/paks-response-to-indias-request-no-bilateral-extradition-treaty-exists-674884/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>"The CID (crime) wants to take action against agents who had promised help to the victims to enter the US and other countries (illegally). We have formed four teams which will get information from the victims regarding promises made to them by these agents," he&nbsp;reportedly said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Police authorities from India’s western state of Gujarat grilled at least 20 passengers who were on the Nicaragua-bound flight in France, after the plane with over 300 on board was grounded over suspicions of human trafficking following a tip off.

Police authorities from India’s western state of Gujarat grilled at least 20 passengers who were on the Nicaragua-bound flight in France, after the plane with over 300 on board was grounded over suspicions of human trafficking following a tip off. The interrogation was done to find out if some sort of illegal immigration network was running, media reports said citing a senior official. This comes after the French court finally allowed the passengers to leave France four days, following which the Nicaragua-bound aircraft, an Airbus A340, landed in Mumbai on December 26. The plane landed in Mumbai had a total of 276 passengers onboard. Reports citing a top state Crime Investigation Department (CID) official, said that at least 60 out of the total passengers were from Gujarat. These people have already arrived in their native state and their interrogation is undergoing. Also Read | ISRO 2023 Rewind - To the Moon and back, in preparation for Chandrayaan-4 Notably, the police authorities are trying to find out if these people boarded a 'donkey flight' to seek entry into the US and if they aspired to do that after reaching Latin America. "They were sent back from France. There was a rumour they had planned to enter the US illegally after landing in Nicaragua. In their statements, they told us they were going there as tourists. We are going into the details to find out who were the agents behind their trip," S P Rajkumar, Additional Director General of Police, CID - Crime and Railways, reportedly said. The top IPS officer said, "We are verifying their documents to ascertain whether they used genuine or forged documents to proceed to Central America. We will also check their financial transactions because, ideally, they should not have paid more if they were going there as normal tourists and not with any other intention." Also Read | Israeli Embassy blast | Delhi Police registers FIR against unknown individuals. Investigation so far... "Though we have started questioning, no one is divulging facts. They claim they went there as tourists. We are investigating the case from all angles," he added. Four teams formed CID has already created a total of four teams to probe the matter, as per Superintendent of Police, CID (Crime), Sanjay Kharat. Watch | Pak's response to India's request: No bilateral extradition treaty exists × "The CID (crime) wants to take action against agents who had promised help to the victims to enter the US and other countries (illegally). We have formed four teams which will get information from the victims regarding promises made to them by these agents," he reportedly said. (With inputs from agencies)

France plane row: Gujarat police grill 20 people who were on Nicaragua-bound flight

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidAiXiSl0gLCoE" /><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p>A Nicaragua-bound flight with 303 Indians onboard was grounded in France last week over suspicion of human trafficking. The <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/aircraft-with-indian-passengers-detained-in-france-could-leave-today-673220">flight is expected to leave the Vatry airport and arrive in India </a></strong>later on Monday (Dec 25). As France launched an investigation into the matter, news has emerged that an alleged kingpin of a human trafficking case in the Indian state of Gujarat is linked to the Nicaragua-bound Airbus A340.</p>

<p>Citing sources in Indian security agencies, a report by The Times of India (TOI) on Monday said that Shashi Kiran Reddy, the alleged kingpin of last year's Dingucha case, let off by the Gujarat police for lack of evidence, was likely the mastermind in the grounded Nicaragua-bound flight case.</p>

<p>The sources told TOI that of the passengers onboard the Airbus A340 at Vatry airport, 96 were from Gujarat.</p>

<h2><strong>What is the 2022 Dingucha case?</strong></h2>

<p>In January last year, four members of a family- Jagdish Patel (39), Vaishali Patel (37), and their two children Vihangi Patel (11) and Dharmik Patel (3) were found dead near Canada's Emerson. The Patels, who belonged to Gujarat's Dingucha village, had frozen to death while attempting to illegally cross into the United States from Canada.</p>

<p>As per the TOI report, it was found that Jagdish's brother Mahendra had organised the journey to the US. One of the sources told the publication that Mahendra was working with Shashi Kiran Reddy and they had sent thousands of people from Gujarat to the US.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/303-indians-include-11-unaccompanied-minors-as-france-continues-human-trafficking-probe-672998">11 minors among 303 Indian passengers on flight grounded by France: Report</a></strong></p>

<p>The source added that Reddy prepared documents of Jagdish and his family, and coordinated with offshore human smugglers to help them cross the US border. Three other people were arrested in this case.</p>

<h2><strong>A smuggling network operating for 15 years</strong></h2>

<p>The TOI report further said that Reddy has been running a human smuggling network for the last 15 years, arranging flights from Dubai to Nicaragua. From here, people were illegally taken to the US, the sources also told the publication.</p>

<p>In the Airbus A340 of Legend Airlines that was grounded in France last Friday, passengers of the flight were questioned for two days. Two passengers have been detained to verify whether their role "may have been different than the others in this transport, and under what conditions and with what objectives."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A Nicaragua-bound flight with 303 Indians onboard was grounded in France last week over suspicion of human trafficking. The flight is expected to leave the Vatry airport and arrive in India later on Monday (Dec 25).

A Nicaragua-bound flight with 303 Indians onboard was grounded in France last week over suspicion of human trafficking. The flight is expected to leave the Vatry airport and arrive in India later on Monday (Dec 25). As France launched an investigation into the matter, news has emerged that an alleged kingpin of a human trafficking case in the Indian state of Gujarat is linked to the Nicaragua-bound Airbus A340. Citing sources in Indian security agencies, a report by The Times of India (TOI) on Monday said that Shashi Kiran Reddy, the alleged kingpin of last year's Dingucha case, let off by the Gujarat police for lack of evidence, was likely the mastermind in the grounded Nicaragua-bound flight case. The sources told TOI that of the passengers onboard the Airbus A340 at Vatry airport, 96 were from Gujarat. What is the 2022 Dingucha case? In January last year, four members of a family- Jagdish Patel (39), Vaishali Patel (37), and their two children Vihangi Patel (11) and Dharmik Patel (3) were found dead near Canada's Emerson. The Patels, who belonged to Gujarat's Dingucha village, had frozen to death while attempting to illegally cross into the United States from Canada. As per the TOI report, it was found that Jagdish's brother Mahendra had organised the journey to the US. One of the sources told the publication that Mahendra was working with Shashi Kiran Reddy and they had sent thousands of people from Gujarat to the US. Also read: 11 minors among 303 Indian passengers on flight grounded by France: Report The source added that Reddy prepared documents of Jagdish and his family, and coordinated with offshore human smugglers to help them cross the US border. Three other people were arrested in this case. A smuggling network operating for 15 years The TOI report further said that Reddy has been running a human smuggling network for the last 15 years, arranging flights from Dubai to Nicaragua. From here, people were illegally taken to the US, the sources also told the publication. In the Airbus A340 of Legend Airlines that was grounded in France last Friday, passengers of the flight were questioned for two days. Two passengers have been detained to verify whether their role "may have been different than the others in this transport, and under what conditions and with what objectives." (With inputs from agencies)

Alleged kingpin of Gujarat trafficking case linked to grounded flight with Indians aboard: Report