Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has expressed hope that the governments of Punjab and Haryana will strictly and effectively implement existing laws regulating travel agents to protect innocent people from fraud.
The observation came while a division bench declined to issue further directions on two public interest litigations (PILs) seeking mandatory certification from foreign governments for visa consultants.
The bench noted that both states had already enacted comprehensive laws to regulate travel agents and curb illegal activities, leaving no scope for the court to issue the directions sought in the petitions.
The court observed that Punjab has implemented the Punjab Prevention of Human Smuggling Act, 2012 along with the Punjab Travel Professionals Regulation Rules, 2013, while Haryana has enacted the Haryana Registration and Regulation of Travel Agent Act, 2025 to regulate the sector.
According to the bench, these laws provide a comprehensive framework to regulate travel agents, IELTS coaching institutes, ticketing agents and general sales agents of airlines, while also prescribing licensing procedures and other regulatory requirements through the competent authority.
“We do not find it necessary to proceed further with these petitions, with the hope and expectation that the state authorities will implement the provisions of the Acts and Rules in their true spirit and with sincerity,” the bench observed.
The court added that effective enforcement of these laws would ensure proper regulation of travel agents and related service providers, helping protect innocent people from falling victim to fraud and illegal immigration scams.
