MUMBAI: The state anti-terrorism squad (ATS) busted a major racket that was involved in preparing forged documents to obtain Indian passports for illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. Investigators have come across at least 85 passports which were obtained after submitting fake documents and later given to illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. ATS arrested eight suspects including several Bangladeshi nationals.
ATS stated that on November 29 one Akram Khan, a Bangladeshi national, staying in the city as an illegal immigrant was arrested. He had indulged in preparation and supply of fake Indian identity documents to other illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. Khan (28) was picked up from Sewree area in central Mumbai. During interrogation, Khan spilled the bean on his network and disclosed that he was originally from district Noakhali in Bangladesh and came to India without any legal document. He revealed that a Wadala resident Noornabi and Rafique Shaikh, a Kausa resident, had helped him in preparing fake Pan Card and Aadhar card to get Indian passport. Subsequently, Shaikh was also arrested.
A source from the ATS said that they are working to get more information about the case and suspect a large network of persons involved in this syndicate.
Rafique Shaikh admitted that he had been preparing forged documents for passports since 2013. Police learnt that Shaikh had helped around 85 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants to get passports on fake documents. Shaikh would forge Pan card, Aadhar card, election card, ration card, electric bill, rent agreements, school leaving certificate, birth certificate, bank passbooks etc which were used in making passports. The scope of the probe is widening with new revelations.
Police said it arrested one Idris Shaikh for preparing fake school LCs and birth certificates, Antop Hill resident Avin Kedare who helped Idris to prepare fake rubber stamps and Nitin Nikam, a Taloja resident, had provided fake bank passbooks and election cards. All of them are in police custody.
Investigators also arrested Sohail Shaikh, Khair Shamsul Haque and Hasham Shaikh, all Bangladeshi nationals for entering India without legal documents.
When contacted Shivdeep Lande, DIG state ATS, refused to comment. Cops have seized Indian rupees, Bangladeshi Taka, Indian Passports, Pan card, driving licenses, bank passbooks, cheque books of different banks, Bangladeshi and Indian SIM cards, Bangladesh visiting cards, applications of 446 people submitted for passport and a diary, Indian holograms in the name of collector, Raigarh (Excavation department), fake rubber stamps of cooperative societies and government offices etc.