2 November 2026
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Duped, Trapped, and Imprisoned: The ‘Dunki’ Dilemma

A deadly racket promising overseas dreams has left hundreds trapped abroad, scammed of crores. Pilibhit’s donkey route exposed—terror links, fraudsters, and shattered lives at stake.
Indian Masterminds Stories

Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh – What started as a dream for a better life abroad turned into a horrifying nightmare for hundreds. A massive racket involving fake visas, forged educational certificates, and illegal migration through the infamous “Dunki route” has been exposed in Pilibhit. Led by ASP Vikram Dahiya, the crackdown has sent shockwaves through the region, revealing a murky underworld of fraudsters, illegal IELTS centers, and even suspected terrorist links.

Indian Masterminds had an exclusive conversation with the 2020 batch IPS officer to know more. Click on the link given below to watch the full interview-

DREAMS TURNED INTO NIGHTMARES

Over 70 IELTS centers operated in the region, luring victims with false promises of high scores and guaranteed visas. Families sold their land, liquidated savings, and took loans, believing they were securing a future abroad. Instead, many found themselves abandoned in hostile foreign lands, tortured by traffickers, or languishing in foreign jails.

THE PILIBHIT-PURANPUR CONNECTION

Investigators have now linked the racket to Puranpur and Pilibhit, areas emerging as key hubs for illegal migration. Intelligence reports indicate a network of agents operating between India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, using fake documents to smuggle people across borders. In a chilling revelation, three suspected terrorists were recently killed in an encounter in Puranpur, raising fears that these illegal routes may have been exploited for more sinister purposes.

As investigations continue, a pressing question remains—how many more are trapped abroad, waiting for rescue? Will they be deported or prosecuted? And more importantly, can the authorities put an end to this deadly racket before more lives are ruined?

Watch the complete case now!


Indian Masterminds Stories
Join our WhatsApp Channel
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
CISF Functional Command Structure Feature
CISF Reorganises Command Structure Around Critical Infrastructure Sectors, Moves Beyond Territorial Model
Powergrid1 Power Grid
POWERGRID Reports 8% Growth in Q2 Profit at ₹3,866 Crore; Declares ₹3 Interim Dividend
Coal India October 2026 Record Production
Coal India Turns 51 with a Triple Record: October Production Hits 67.2 MT, Supply Crosses 70 MT
Madhya Pradesh Logo IM
MP Government Denies Central Deputation to Four IAS Officers, Cites Shortage of Officers
Atal Dulloo Retirement Feature
J&K Bids Farewell to Atal Dulloo After Retirement as Chief Secretary; Officers Recall His Administrative Tenure
Madhya Pradesh MSME
MP Foundation Day Gift: CM Mohan Yadav Transfers ₹450 Crore to 900+ MSMEs, ₹47.80 Crore to 120+ Startups 
Jharkhand DISHA Meeting
Jharkhand DISHA Meeting: Deepika Pandey Singh Reviews Central Schemes, Directs Timely Project Completion 
Bhanu Pratap Singh IPS
Bihar IPS Bhanu Pratap Singh's Wife Pooja Singh Protests Outside CM's Residence, Seeks to Meet Daughter
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Five years after Kargil, India sent its cricketing heroes to Pakistan where terrorism posed a deadly threat. The man guarding them, former Special Director of Intelligence Bureau, Mr. Yashovardhan Azad, reveals what all went behind the scenes during that crucial tour. 
Trust No One, Said His Instinct in Pakistan
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
How India Plans to Boost Tourism, Create Jobs and Ease Overcrowding : Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on the Road to 2047
Dr Saket Badola IFS
Beyond Tigers and Safaris: How Corbett Literature Festival Wants to Change the Conservation Conversation
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
UPSC Story
He Taught Students to Meet Expenses. Today, Sachin Bhadouria is a Scientist ‘B’ at CWPRS
Sachin Bhadouria overcame financial challenges and a Hindi-medium background to secure AIR 2 in a UPSC...
Vishwas Jhargad UPSC CAPF
A Photograph of His Mother Accompanied Vishwas Jhargad to the UPSC Interview, Where His Dream Came Closer
Vishwas Vijay Jhargad lost both parents as a child. With his family's support, he secured AIR 145 in...
IA&AS Lokesh Datal
‘Dreams Don’t Change Lives, Daily Habits Do’: IA&AS Officer Lokesh Datal on UPSC and Discipline
IA&AS officer Lokesh Datal shares his UPSC journey, clearing the exam in his fourth attempt, building...
CSR NEWS
Petronet LNG public health award
Petronet LNG Wins ‘Excellence in Public Health Initiatives’ Award at Asia Social Impact & Sustainability Awards 2026 
The recognition, presented in Mumbai on October 28, highlights the company’s commitment to public health,...
CMPDIL Unnat Krishi Project
CMPDIL Signs MoA with Nidhi Samriddhi Foundation to Promote Climate-Resilient Agriculture in Jharkhand
Unnat Krishi Project to introduce ICT and IoT-enabled precision farming for around 100 farmers across...
MCL
MCL Signs MoU to Provide ₹3.20 Crore for Multipurpose Community Hall in Anugola Under CSR
The project at the Reserve Police Office in Chheliapada aims to strengthen local civic infrastructure...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
CISF Functional Command Structure Feature
CISF Reorganises Command Structure Around Critical Infrastructure Sectors, Moves Beyond Territorial Model
Powergrid1 Power Grid
POWERGRID Reports 8% Growth in Q2 Profit at ₹3,866 Crore; Declares ₹3 Interim Dividend
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Five years after Kargil, India sent its cricketing heroes to Pakistan where terrorism posed a deadly threat. The man guarding them, former Special Director of Intelligence Bureau, Mr. Yashovardhan Azad, reveals what all went behind the scenes during that crucial tour. 
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
Dr Saket Badola IFS
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT