Visa extension: After MHA official, a travel agent nabbed

A travel agent was today arrested by the CBI for allegedly acting as a conduit between a Union Home Ministry official and foreign nationals for extending their visas in India by charging Rs15,000 from each person.

The travel agent, Sunil Kesari, was arrested in Mumbai after his name came up during interrogation of PK Singh, section officer in Foreigners division of MHA, who was arrested by the CBI last evening, official sources said.

Kesari's office was also searched by the CBI sleuths during which they seized some papers besides arresting him, the sources said, adding he was produced before a court for a transit remand and was being taken to Delhi.

The CBI alleged that Kesari was allegedly a middle man between foreign nationals seeking extension of visa and Singh, the sources said.

Singh was arrested after being under surveillance for the past few weeks following complaints that he was demanding and taking bribe for extension of visa.

The CBI arrested Singh after finding him taking bribe, they said.

Singh allegedly used to take bribe of Rs15,000 from each of the applicants he dealt with.