Allahabad HC Expresses Concern over Mushrooming of Fake Job Agencies That Prey on Unemployed Youth

The Allahabad High Court recently drew attention to the concerning proliferation of fraudulent manpower and recruitment agencies throughout the nation. The HC said that nowadays, everywhere in the country, such bogus agencies are mushrooming and preying on unemployed youth by falsely promising government job opportunities and overseas employment.

The bench of Justice Manju Rani Chauhan noted that the youth too, without knowing the hidden agenda, fall prey to such false lucrative offers and often end up paying huge amounts.

The court noted that such agencies often either disappear overnight with the amount collected from the victims or issue fake appointment letters to them.

“In my firm view, these white-collar crimes, which have drastic effects, should be dealt with iron hands and severe punishment should be awarded to the culprits,” Justice Chauhan said.

A criminal bail application was filed before the single-judge bench by one Himanshu Kanaujiya. The allegations against Kanaujiya were that he lured the informant with promises of employment and allegedly received Rs 1,60,000 in his account and an additional Rs 4,00,000 in cash. However, the informant claimed that Kanaujiya provided only a forged appointment letter.

A case was registered against Kanaujiya under Sections 406, 420, 467, 468, and 471 of the IPC.

In his plea for bail, Kanaujiya asserted that the accusations against him were unfounded. He further claimed to have already returned the money received in his account from the informant’s mother.

Based on the submissions presented before it and the documented evidence, the high court concluded that a cognisable offence was made out to proceed against Kanaujiya.

Therefore, considering the gravity of the offence, the evidence provided, Kanaujiya’s level of involvement, and the potential severity of the punishment, the court denied him bail.

“The very term ‘unemployment’ will sound the death knell for the future of the youth of this nation. Every individual would like to stand on his own legs to avert the reverberations of the said word ‘unemployment’. Such untiring pursuit for employment by the youth is taken advantage of by certain sections/persons,” the court said.