Did a Bengal Businessman Travel Abroad 900 Times in 10 Years in a Fake Passport Scam?
Synopsis
In a shocking revelation, the Enforcement Directorate has uncovered that a businessman from Khardah has traveled a staggering 900 times in a decade, raising serious questions about the use of fake passports. What secrets lie behind these frequent trips? This investigation dives into the depths of a sprawling corruption network.
Key Takeaways
900 international trips by a businessman raise alarms.
ED's investigation highlights corruption in passport issuance .
Frequent travel to Bangkok leads to serious questions.
Several arrests made, including a carpenter linked to the scandal.
Ongoing investigations aim to unravel a larger network of illegal activities.
Kolkata, Nov 5 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has uncovered shocking details in the fake passport corruption investigation, revealing that a businessman from Khardah, located in North 24 Parganas, has made 900 international trips over the past decade.
ED sources disclosed that this information was retrieved during a raid at his residence on BT Road, near Khardah Bazar, conducted on Tuesday evening.
During the operation, investigators examined the flat of Vinod Gupta, a transport entrepreneur residing at Narmada Awas apartment.
According to the ED, numerous documents were seized that indicate Gupta's astonishing frequency of travel abroad, with a total of 900 trips in approximately 10 years.
Investigation officials noted that the majority of these journeys were to Bangkok. They raised concerns regarding the plausibility of such frequent travel within a limited timeframe and are probing the motives behind Gupta's repeated visits to this destination.
Reports suggest that he traveled to Bangkok at least twice weekly, and allegations have emerged that he engaged in foreign currency exchange without proper documentation.
The ED has gathered significant insights by initially reviewing the seized files and is preparing to summon Gupta for further questioning.
Recently, as part of its ongoing investigation into the fake passport scandal, the federal agency conducted a raid at an online passport application center located in front of the Passport Seva Kendra in Kolkata.
Sources indicated that information collected at the passport office suggests these online centers may have contributed to the corruption involved in generating fake passports.
Additionally, the ED raided the residence of a carpenter in Chakdaha, Nadia district, questioning the household members. The carpenter, identified as Biplab Sarkar, resides in Padari village.
Authorities later apprehended Biplab and two others, Binanda Sarkar and Bipul Sarkar.
Biplab Sarkar's involvement came to light during the interrogation of Indu Bhushan Halder, a middleman arrested last month for aiding foreigners in obtaining Indian identity documents for a fee.
Earlier this year, a Pakistani national, Azad Mallick, was detained in connection with the fake passport case.
At that time, the ED executed searches across significant areas along the India-Bangladesh border, particularly in North 24 Parganas and Nadia districts. The raids conducted on Wednesday were also based on similar intelligence.
The investigation into the fake Indian passport network operating from West Bengal was initially launched by the West Bengal Police at the end of last year, leading to several arrests.
Subsequently, the ED took over the case due to its money laundering implications.
In April, officials achieved a significant breakthrough by capturing Azad Mallick, who was found to be involved not only in the hawala and fake passport schemes but also in arranging fake visas for individuals wishing to travel abroad.
The state police had already filed a charge sheet detailing 130 individuals implicated in the case, with 120 of them being illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators.
A lookout notice has also been issued against these individuals.
Point of View
It is evident that this investigation sheds light on serious lapses in accountability and security regarding passport issuance. The ramifications of such corruption are profound, not only affecting the integrity of our national documents but also raising alarms about potential threats to our border security. The nation must remain vigilant as the ED pursues justice in this alarming case.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What sparked the investigation into the fake passport scam?
The investigation began at the end of last year by the West Bengal Police, focusing on a network involved in issuing fake passports, which later drew the attention of the Enforcement Directorate due to money laundering aspects.
How many times did the businessman travel abroad?
The businessman reportedly traveled abroad 900 times over a span of 10 years, with the majority of trips to Bangkok.
What was found during the ED's raids?
During the raids, the ED seized numerous documents that indicated the frequency of the businessman's travels and raised concerns about his foreign currency exchange activities without proper documentation.
Who else has been arrested in connection with this case?
In addition to the businessman, several individuals, including Biplab Sarkar and two others, have been arrested for their involvement in the fake passport racket.
What is the broader impact of this fake passport scam?
This scam raises significant concerns about national security, the integrity of passport issuance, and the potential involvement of illegal immigrant networks.
