Ahmedabad: A significant number of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, estimated at 40, who obtained Indian passports through fraudulent means, have disappeared, triggering a widespread search across the state. This revelation emerged during an ongoing investigation by the city crime branch into a large-scale passport fraud scheme involving Bangladeshi nationals residing unlawfully in India.
The crime branch has initiated a “Janva Jog” (needs to be investigated) entry in its station diary and has deployed multiple teams to locate the missing individuals. An First Information Report (FIR) is anticipated to be filed shortly. Sources within the crime branch indicate that over 500 such passports are currently under scrutiny.
The disappearance has raised concerns among intelligence agencies due to the potential misuse of Indian passports by foreign nationals who circumvented legal entry procedures. A crime branch source stated, “Some of these illegal immigrants pose a major security hazard as earlier sleeper cells for Al-Qaeda (Bangladesh) have been rooted out from the settlements where these Bangladeshi immigrants used to live.”
Sophisticated Network Uncovered
The illicit operation, identified in early 2024, involves a well-organized network of intermediaries and document counterfeiters. These individuals facilitated the acquisition of forged Aadhaar cards, ration cards, and other identification documents, enabling Bangladeshi immigrants to falsely present themselves as Indian citizens and apply for passports.
Key Figures Apprehended
Earlier, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested Mohammed Didarul Alam alias Rana Sarkar and Soeb Mohammed, both illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and key figures in this document forgery network. Sarkar not only obtained an Indian passport using counterfeit documents but also assisted numerous others in similar fraudulent activities.
Investigation Unravels
Senior crime branch officials revealed that they had provided details of approximately 550 passports, believed to be procured based on fake identity documents, to the passport office and the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). Based on feedback from these agencies, officials commenced address verification checks, leading to the discovery of 40 missing individuals. A top crime branch official commented, “These developments have been taken very seriously by the administration and we have launched a full-fledged investigation to get hold of these absconders.”
Sarkar is thought to have operated in Ahmedabad, Surat, and parts of West Bengal before his apprehension. One of his associates is suspected to be in hiding in South Korea, with efforts underway for international coordination to track him down. Prior to these arrests, the crime branch had detained Joya Rajput, an illegal Bangladeshi national who had successfully obtained an Indian passport using forged identity documents.
Both the Gujarat ATS and the crime branch are intensifying their operations to locate the missing immigrants and dismantle the broader network involved in identity fraud. Authorities are expected to question insiders and local agents who may have overlooked or failed to identify fraudulent documents during the issuance process.