In a significant development, Canadian authorities have apprehended Brijesh Mishra, an Indian education agent accused of participating in a counterfeit Canadian college admission letter scandal.

Brijesh Mishra, who was attempting to enter Canada, was deemed inadmissible by border agents and promptly detained. As per reports from Toronto Star, Mishra has been charged by the Canada Border Services Agency with offenses including offering immigration advice without a license and counseling individuals to withhold or misrepresent information to authorities.

In Canada, only licensed lawyers and consultants registered with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants are legally authorized to provide immigration advice and services in exchange for a fee. It has been revealed that neither the Law Society of Ontario nor the consultants' college has any records indicating Brijesh Mishra's membership. This is due to the fact that education agents are not regulated in Canada.

Brijesh Mishra's alleged involvement in the issuance of fraudulent college acceptance letters has come to light. His recent arrest and charges are part of an international education scandal that has drawn significant attention in both Canada and India.

The scandal unfolded when a group of international students, relying on manipulated admission letters, obtained study permits but faced potential deportation as a consequence. Mishra stands accused of providing fraudulent letters of acceptance to Canadian post-secondary institutions on behalf of aspiring Indian students.

According to reports, a significant number of students, totaling in the hundreds, were unaware of the forged admission letters and only discovered the issue during their postgraduate work permit applications or permanent residence application processes. They claim to have been victims of Brijesh Mishra and other unscrupulous agents.

In response to the scandal, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced the suspension of pending deportations for the affected Indian international students who alleged deception by Mishra and other fraudulent agents.

As per reports, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino commended the Canada Border Services Agency's criminal investigators for their efforts in combatting fraud while ensuring the protection of genuine students pursuing their studies.

A task force is investigating individual student involvement in the fraud, while criticism mounts over the handling of the scandal by immigration officials. Protests and a parliamentary investigation seek answers regarding delayed detection and the impact on innocent students.

Image source: Hindustan Times