The Jammu Crime Branch has filed a chargesheet against an education consultant accused of collecting ₹37.94 lakh from several people after allegedly promising overseas employment and work visas, with Canada featuring prominently in the complaints.
The Special Crime Wing submitted the chargesheet before the Special Municipal Court in Jammu on October 3. The accused, Lalit Sharma, is described as the proprietor of Kalika Education Consultant and Knight Rider Consultant.
The allegations will now be examined by the court, and the filing of a chargesheet does not by itself establish guilt.
Complaints Focused on Overseas Employment Promises
The case originated from complaints registered in 2025 by people who alleged that they had paid money to Sharma for assistance in obtaining foreign employment and work visas.
Canada was among the destinations mentioned in the complaints. According to the Crime Branch, the complainants were assured that the necessary immigration and employment arrangements would be completed after payment.
The promised work visas allegedly did not materialise, while the complainants also claimed that the money they had paid was not returned.
Investigation Traces ₹37.94 Lakh in Payments
As part of the investigation, Crime Branch officials recorded statements from complainants and witnesses and examined financial and documentary records.
Investigators said their probe established that a total of ₹37.94 lakh had been received from the complainants. The payments were allegedly made through a combination of bank transfers and cash.
The agency has not publicly detailed the individual amounts paid by each complainant or the exact number of people whose payments make up the total figure.
Financial records are expected to be significant because they can help investigators connect individual complaints with specific payments and transactions.
Chargesheet Filed Under Cheating Provision
The Special Crime Wing has invoked Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code in the case, relating to cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property.
The FIR was registered as Case No. 02/2025 at the Special Crime Wing police station in Jammu.
With the chargesheet now before the court, the prosecution will have to establish its allegations through admissible evidence. The accused will have the opportunity to contest both the allegations and the evidence presented against him.
Two Consultancy Businesses Under Investigation
Investigators have identified Sharma as the proprietor of Kalika Education Consultant and Knight Rider Consultant.
Documents and transactions associated with the consultancy businesses form part of the investigation. However, the allegations described by the Crime Branch concern specific complaints involving payments allegedly made for overseas work visas.
The available case details do not establish that every service provided by either consultancy was fraudulent.
Canada Work Visa Claims Under Scrutiny
The demand for overseas employment continues to create opportunities for fraudulent recruitment and visa-related schemes, particularly when applicants are promised jobs or immigration outcomes without independently verifying the employer and immigration process.
In the Jammu case, investigators say the promised arrangements were not completed.
The Crime Branch has not publicly established that forged visa documents, fake employment letters or fabricated employer records were used in this particular case. Those details should therefore not be treated as established facts unless supported by evidence presented during the court proceedings.
Similar Overseas Employment Cases Investigated
The latest chargesheet follows other cases investigated by the Jammu Crime Branch involving allegations related to overseas employment.
One separate investigation reportedly involved allegations surrounding foreign employment visas, including a Portugal work visa. Another case concerned an allegation that ₹10.05 lakh was collected after a promise of employment in Russia, while the applicant allegedly received only a tourist e-visa.
These cases involve different accused persons and complainants and should not be treated as part of the present prosecution.
Evidence Will Now Be Examined by the Court
The next stage of the case will focus on whether the prosecution can establish that money was obtained through dishonest representations and that the necessary elements of the alleged offence are proved.
Banking records, evidence concerning cash payments, communications with complainants, agreements and documents connected with the promised employment arrangements could become relevant during the proceedings.
For people considering overseas employment or investment-related arrangements, conducting Due Diligence on the relevant parties, documents and financial claims can help identify inconsistencies before money is transferred.
Ultimately, the court will determine whether the allegations made by the Crime Branch are established in accordance with law.
Precautions for Overseas Job Seekers
Applicants considering overseas employment should independently verify the prospective employer, recruitment agency and immigration route before making substantial payments.
Written agreements, detailed receipts and verifiable employment documentation should be retained. A payment made to a consultant should not be treated as a guarantee that a work visa or overseas job will be issued.