Kolkata, Nov 3 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) executed a raid on the residence of a carpenter in Chakdaha, situated in West Bengal's Nadia district, as part of its inquiry into a fraudulent passport case.

As per ED sources, the search targeted Biplab Sarkar, who is believed to be involved in the illicit issuance of passports. This operation is part of the broader investigation linked to a Pakistani national, Azad Mallik, who was apprehended earlier this year.

Details indicate that Biplab Sarkar's name emerged during the questioning of Indu Bhushan Halder, a middleman arrested last month for assisting foreigners in obtaining Indian identity documents (passports) for a fee. Biplab Sarkar's family is also being scrutinized for potential involvement in these activities.

The ED team arrived at Parari village in Chakdaha early this morning and proceeded directly to Biplab Sarkar's residence. The search commenced as soon as they entered his modest clay home. The team also seized a passport during the operation.

The ED is delving into the methods used for creating fake passports and tracking the travel records of those involved. Members of Sarkar's family were also interrogated.

It is noteworthy that Pakistani citizen Azad Mallick was apprehended earlier this year in connection with the fake passport investigation. The ED had previously executed searches in various locations near the India-Bangladesh border in the North 24 Parganas and Nadia districts.

This recent raid follows similar leads. Last month, Indu Bhushan Haldar was arrested in Nadia for passport forgery, having renewed Azad Mallick's Indian passport.

Sources reveal that Biplab Sarkar is associated with Indu Bhushan, and it has been uncovered that approximately 350 fake passport applications originated from Indu Bhushan's cyber cafe in Chakdaha.

In light of this information, the ED proceeded with the raid at Sarkar's residence. While he is employed as a carpenter, investigators are exploring the possibility of his connections to Bangladesh, given that Indu Bhushan was also involved in producing fake photo identity cards.

The investigation is currently reviewing travel histories and all banking transactions associated with Sarkar. Officials are also examining the documents and passports of his brother, Bipul Sarkar, and other family members, as well as their travel records. Additionally, Sarkar's mobile phone is under scrutiny.

The inquiry into the fake Indian passport syndicate operating from West Bengal began with police investigations at the close of last year, resulting in multiple arrests.

Subsequently, the ED took over the investigation due to the implications of money laundering.

In April, the ED made a significant breakthrough by capturing Azad Mallik.

Investigations by ED officials revealed that, apart from orchestrating the hawala and fake Indian passport operations, Mallik was also engaged in arranging counterfeit visas for individuals wanting to travel abroad.

The state police had already submitted a charge sheet in this matter, naming 130 individuals as accused, with 120 identified as illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators.

The police have also issued a lookout notice against these individuals.