Patna: Kishanganj police have arrested AIMIM leader Haji Nahid Ghani and Mohammad Tavrez in connection with allegations of overseas job fraud and sending young people abroad through illegal routes, commonly referred to as the “dunki route”. The two were arrested in Patna with assistance from the Bihar Special Task Force (STF).
According to police, several cases involving the accused have already been registered at police stations in Kishanganj and Purnia districts. Investigators are questioning the men to establish the alleged network’s reach, identify other people involved and determine how much money was collected from job seekers.
Ghani is a resident of Rauta in Purnia district, while Tavrez reportedly belongs to Angarh. Police allege that the accused collected substantial sums from unemployed youths by promising them well-paid jobs abroad, including in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Malaysia.
Seven Youths Reportedly Stranded in Dubai
The case follows allegations that seven youths from Amour in Purnia and Kochadhaman in Kishanganj became stranded in Dubai in August this year.
The youths reportedly released a video seeking assistance, alleging that they had paid around Rs 1.5 lakh each to secure overseas employment. However, after reaching Dubai, they claimed they did not receive the promised jobs.
They also alleged that their passports were held by an agent and that they faced difficulties arranging food and accommodation after their money ran out.
Following the video’s circulation, former Kishanganj MLA Master Mujahid Alam spoke to the youths over a video call. During the conversation, one of them reportedly said they had been stranded for around 17 days and were struggling to meet their basic needs.
According to police, Ghani had also allegedly arranged to send these youths abroad. Investigators are examining the circumstances of their travel and the role of the accused in the episode.
Rs 1.80 Lakh Collected to Send Youth to Malaysia, Allegation Says
Another case under investigation concerns an alleged payment of Rs 1.80 lakh to send a young man to Malaysia through an illegal route.
According to the complaint filed by Mohammad Suleman in Bishanpur police station case number 47/26, the money was collected in the name of arranging overseas employment for his son, Noorjafar.
The complaint states that Noorjafar travelled from Patna to Delhi on September 9, 2026, before being sent to Krabi in Thailand. He allegedly reached Malaysia through a so-called dunki route on September 18.
Police said Noorjafar was subsequently kept in a room with several other youths and later assigned work at a company identified as Biosin Sdn Bhd in Johor.
According to Sub-Divisional Police Officer Khusru Siraj, Malaysian immigration police raided the location and arrested several youths. Noorjafar allegedly escaped arrest by hiding in a forest and later returned to India with the assistance of a local agent.
Investigators are examining the allegations surrounding the money collected, the route used to transport the youths and the conditions they encountered after reaching Malaysia.
Multiple Cases Registered in Kishanganj and Purnia
Police said cases linked to the accused have been registered at Kochadhaman, Bahadurganj and Bishanpur police stations in Kishanganj district, as well as Rauta police station in Purnia district.
The cases involve allegations of fraud, human trafficking-related offences and other relevant legal provisions.
A special team constituted under the directions of Superintendent of Police Santosh Kumar arrested the two men in Patna with assistance from the STF.
Police Probe Possible Links to Overseas Agents
Investigators are now questioning the accused to establish how the alleged operation functioned, how many youths may have been sent abroad and how much money was collected from them.
Police are also examining the suspected role of agents and contacts in foreign countries, particularly those allegedly involved in facilitating travel to Malaysia.
The investigation is ongoing. The allegations against the arrested men remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.
