New Delhi, February 24: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has secured a conviction in a significant case involving forgery and the creation of multiple fake passports. On Monday, the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Egmore, Chennai, sentenced the accused, Obaidullah (also known as F. Hamid and Ubaitullah Khan Faizal), to four years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹20,000. This ruling is based on charges of forgery, fraud, and obtaining passports through various false identities.
The CBI registered the case on December 31, 2018. The investigation revealed that Obaidullah concealed his true identity and used forged documents to obtain several passports under different names, including Obaidullah Khan and Faizal Khan. He utilized these fake passports for international travel, aiming to deceive customs authorities. Notably, he was apprehended at Chennai International Airport while attempting to board a flight to Singapore, where he was found in possession of approximately ₹36.74 lakh worth of foreign currency without any valid authorization.
The accused deliberately provided false information to the passport officer and concealed essential details when submitting his application. He submitted forged documents such as identity cards and proof of address, which led to the issuance of the passports. The CBI’s investigation confirmed that the accused had been engaged in such fraudulent activities for an extended period, intending to facilitate illegal operations such as smuggling or other crimes.
Following the completion of the investigation, the CBI filed a chargesheet against the accused on March 13, 2020. After a lengthy trial, the court examined all evidence and found the accused guilty. The court imposed a sentence under various sections of the Indian Penal Code for forgery, fraud, and violations of the Passport Act. Provisions for additional punishment in case of non-payment of the fine were also established.
This case exemplifies the CBI’s stringent action against passport forgery and illegal currency smuggling. Such cases pose challenges to national security and the immigration system. The CBI is actively cracking down on gangs issuing passports with fake documents, particularly at international airports like Chennai, where scrutiny of foreign currency and documents is rigorous.
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