Kolkata Police Probe Overseas NRIs from Bengal with Forged Indian Passports
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Kolkata, Jan 11 (NationPress) The Kolkata Police have ramped up their initiatives to investigate the situation of non-resident Indians (NRIs) having permanent addresses in West Bengal, who are believed to be working overseas with forged Indian passports.
Sources indicate that the city police have dispatched official communications to various Embassies and High Commissions across multiple nations, including three in Europe, where these passport fraudsters are allegedly employed.
The aim is to determine their current locations and legal standings.
Investigations reveal that a significant number of these individuals, claiming to be from West Bengal, are actually illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators. They reportedly entered India unlawfully and obtained forged Indian identity documents, including passports, to facilitate international travel.
To thwart further evasion, the Kolkata Police have issued lookout notices for individuals identified as likely possessing fraudulent passports associated with West Bengal addresses.
Additionally, sources within the West Bengal Police have pointed out the involvement of organized fake passport gangs primarily operating in South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, and Nadia districts. These regions are characterized by porous land and coastal borders with Bangladesh, making them hotspots for illicit activities.
Notably, South 24 Parganas presents an increased risk due to its coastal proximity to Bangladesh.
Investigators have discerned a systematic method in the operations of these rackets that facilitate the issuance of fake Indian passports for illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators.
Upon illegally entering India, these infiltrators connect with local agents and pay substantial fees to obtain forged Indian identity documents. Initially, they are provided with safe havens in border villages.
The first phase involves acquiring fake ration cards, which serve as the basis for obtaining additional identity documents such as Voter IDs (EPIC), PAN cards, and Aadhaar cards. These documents are subsequently utilized to secure forged Indian passports, allowing the infiltrators to exit the country under false identities.
