India's consulate general in Birmingham has been identified as a vital link that netted a gang millions of pounds from smuggling immigrants into the United Kingdom.
At least one of the men brought into the UK has been identified as a suspected Sikh terrorist.
At least three diplomats -- who have not been named -- have been recalled to New Delhi after one of them was filmed exchanging money and documents with the ringleader of the gang, Sarwan Deo, who has been sentenced to seven and a half years' imprisonment.
A spokeswoman for the UK's National Crime Squad told rediff.com, "The diplomats have been recalled and are no longer at the consulate. There is no doubt at all there was a corrupt relationship between the defendants and at least one official.
"We have footage showing one of the defendants meeting the diplomat at a car park. The defendants even complained about the fee the diplomat was charging."
In London a spokesman for the Indian high commission refused to discuss the issue, or identify the diplomats, saying, "The matter has been referred to Delhi."
The gang of five men smuggled an estimated 6,000 immigrants.
Judge Dawn Freedman told Harrow Crown Court in London on Wednesday how they earned an estimated £50 million and posed deep risks for national security.
Police believe Deo has stashed his huge profits in property and bank accounts back home in Punjab.
Efforts are underway to trace and seize his assets but police privately admit that will be unlikely.
Deo's brother, Sucha, from Chadwell Heath in East London, has been sentenced to three years and the gang forger, Povytar Rai from Birmingham, was given three and a half years.
Two others, Jarnail Saini, 38, and Sohan Kalyan, 49, helped their so-called clients through entry points at ports and airports.
Saini, from Germany, was jailed for five years and Kalyan, from Bedford in the UK, was given four years.
Police believe the connection between the gang and the consulate was operational for 12 years before it was broken up. Before then the gang had persuaded thousands to part with up to £8,000 to start a new life in the UK. Half the cash was paid upfront and the balance was given once they arrived at their final destination.
The smugglers used routes through Africa, West Asia and Europe to bring their clients into the UK.
The judge said the gang's activities "undermined proper immigration procedure.
"It exposes the public to the risk of bringing into the UK those whose presence might at best be undesirable, at worst dangerous. That is unfair to legitimate immigrants and legitimate asylum seekers."
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