Mumbai, March 25 (NationPress) - A Bangladeshi individual was taken into custody while trying to board a flight to Congo with a forged Indian passport at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, according to officials on Wednesday.

The case is part of a larger investigation into a network of forged documents discovered during immigration checks.

Officials reported that discrepancies in the travel documents led to the discovery of multiple fake identification papers presented by the accused.

The Sahar Police have initiated an extensive investigation into the matter.

"Due to the alertness of immigration officials at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, a significant fraud scheme has been uncovered. The Sahar Police have detained a Bangladeshi national attempting to escape using a counterfeit Indian passport," stated an official release.

The incident occurred around 4:15 a.m., when immigration officer Ganesh Gawli was on duty and a passenger sought verification at the counter. Although the initial documents seemed legitimate, a closer examination raised concerns.

The traveler had provided an Indian passport indicating an address in Kolkata, but the mobile number listed had a Bangladeshi country code.

This inconsistency led to further inquiries, and he was then referred to senior officers for a more thorough interrogation.

Upon extensive questioning, the individual revealed his true identity as Sukanta Mallick, a 39-year-old from the Gopalganj district in Bangladesh. He confessed to having entered India illegally in 2012.

Moreover, he admitted to acquiring the Indian passport in 2022 through fraudulent means.

Investigators also discovered that he had obtained several other identification documents fraudulently, including a PAN card, Voter ID, and Ration Card.

The accused was supposed to catch a flight to Dar City, Congo, on flight number TC-401, intending to establish residency abroad using his false identity.

Immigration officials seized numerous documents from him, including the counterfeit Indian passport, a Bangladeshi birth certificate, his mother's passport, and a mobile phone.

Initial investigations indicate that the accused may not have acted independently. Authorities suspect the involvement of an organized syndicate engaged in creating forged documents to facilitate illegal residency in India and overseas travel.

Following the arrest, the Immigration Department transferred the accused to the Sahar Police for further action. A case is being filed against him on multiple charges, including fraud, forgery, and unlawful residency in the country.

In response to this incident, security and immigration agencies at the airport have heightened their alert status, and efforts are in progress to locate those who aided the accused in obtaining the forged documents and facilitating his attempted travel.