MP STF uncovers 70 fake passports; monastery addresses, officials under scanner
Synopsis
What started as a passport fraud probe in Madhya Pradesh has grown into a six-state investigation, with 70 fake passports traced to Buddhist monastery addresses, three repeat witnesses appearing in 50 cases, and officials at Passport Seva Kendras now under scrutiny — suggesting the racket may have had institutional cover from the inside.
Key Takeaways
The Madhya Pradesh STF has detected around 70 fake passports using monastery and residential addresses across the state.
Six suspects have been arrested so far, with the latest — Gayaprasad Gautam — held on 23 September 2026 .
75 accused have been identified; the same three witnesses appeared in approximately 50 of the 70 cases .
Addresses of Buddhist monasteries in Bhopal, Betul, Chhindwara, Dabra , and Pahurna were allegedly used in the applications.
The role of Passport Seva Kendra officials is being actively investigated, suggesting possible insider involvement.
The probe has expanded to six states : Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Punjab.
The Madhya Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has detected around 70 fake passports issued using different addresses across the state, with the investigation now expanding to six states and scrutinising the possible involvement of officials at Passport Seva Kendras. The probe, centred in Bhopal, has so far led to six arrests and the identification of 75 accused in what investigators describe as a multi-layered organised racket.
Key Developments in the Investigation
STF Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Rahul Lodha confirmed on Friday, 25 September that the investigation remains ongoing. “This is a multi-layered case, and the investigation is still underway. So far, six suspects have been arrested, including the latest arrest made two days ago,” Lodha said.
The most recent arrest was that of Gayaprasad Gautam on 23 September. Earlier, Riyal Choudhary alias Bhante Metanand, Viplab Adhikari, Priyan Roy, Joy Choudhary, and Naseem Akhtar were arrested between 25 August and 18 September.
Monastery Addresses Used as Cover
A striking pattern at the heart of the racket is the repeated use of Buddhist monastery addresses in passport applications. According to the STF, such cases have surfaced in Bhopal, Betul, Chhindwara, Dabra, and Pahurna.
Investigators have identified 40 cases linked to Annanagar in Bhopal, 17 from Dabra, 11 from the Amla Buddhist monastery in Betul, and two from Chhindwara-Pahurna. The repeated use of monastery addresses — religious and community institutions often associated with trust — appears to have been a deliberate strategy to evade scrutiny during the application process.
Witness Network: A Recurring Fingerprint
In approximately 50 of the 70 fake passport cases detected so far, the same three individuals — Gayaprasad Gautam, Gulab Rai, and Riyal Choudhary alias Bhante Metanand — appeared as witnesses. Their mobile numbers were also found recorded in several of the passport applications, giving investigators a traceable thread connecting disparate cases.
The STF has further established interpersonal links among key accused. Gulab Rai reportedly met Riyal Choudhary during a camp in Amla, Betul, and later again at a camp in Jhansi. In 2022, Rai allegedly attended a camp at Ambedkar Park in Dabra along with his associates — a trail that suggests the network was cultivated over multiple years.
Officials at Passport Seva Kendras Under Scrutiny
In a significant development, the STF probe has revealed that the fake passports were allegedly prepared with the assistance of certain officers and employees. “The role of officers and employees associated with the Passport Seva Kendra is also being investigated,” DIG Lodha said, adding weight to concerns about insider facilitation within the passport issuance system.
This is a critical line of inquiry: if officials at official passport processing centres were complicit, it would point to a systemic compromise rather than an external fraud alone.
Probe Expands Across Six States
The investigation has been extended to six states — Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Punjab — where STF teams are actively working to trace suspected network members and establish their links to the racket. “Searches are continuing in different states, and further action will be taken as the investigation progresses,” Lodha said.
With 75 accused identified and searches still underway across multiple states, the full scale of the operation is yet to be established. The STF has indicated further arrests are expected as the multi-state probe deepens.
Point of View
This becomes a story about institutional failure, not just organised crime. India's passport issuance system relies heavily on address verification and witness attestation; the fact that both were systematically gamed across five districts and multiple states suggests the checks-and-balances framework has a structural gap that one STF bust will not by itself close. The six-state expansion of the probe is the right step, but accountability for any officials found involved must be swift and public to restore trust in the system.
NationPress
25 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MP STF fake passport racket?
It is an organised racket in which around 70 passports were fraudulently obtained using fake addresses — including addresses of Buddhist monasteries — across districts in Madhya Pradesh. The MP Special Task Force has arrested six suspects so far and identified 75 accused, with the probe now spanning six states.
Which monastery addresses were used in the fake passport applications?
According to the STF, addresses of Buddhist monasteries in Bhopal, Betul, Chhindwara, Dabra, and Pahurna were repeatedly used. The highest number of cases — 40 — are linked to Annanagar in Bhopal, followed by 17 from Dabra and 11 from the Amla Buddhist monastery in Betul.
Are government officials suspected in the fake passport case?
Yes. STF DIG Rahul Lodha confirmed that investigators are examining the role of officers and employees associated with Passport Seva Kendras, as evidence suggests some passports were prepared with official assistance. No arrests of officials have been announced yet.
Who has been arrested in connection with the MP fake passport racket?
Six people have been arrested: Riyal Choudhary alias Bhante Metanand, Viplab Adhikari, Priyan Roy, Joy Choudhary, and Naseem Akhtar (arrested between 25 August and 18 September), and Gayaprasad Gautam, arrested on 23 September 2026.
How far has the MP STF fake passport investigation expanded?
The probe has been extended to six states — Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Punjab. STF teams are actively searching for more suspects and tracing the full network, with further arrests expected.
