Kolkata, October 20 (Daily Kiran): The Enforcement Directorate (ED), probing the multi-crore fake passport racket in West Bengal, has launched a manhunt for seven suspected Pakistani nationals who allegedly obtained Indian passports through the illegal network.
According to ED officials, the racket was masterminded by Indu Bhushan Haldar, a technical expert who arranged these passports. Haldar, described as a key operator in the syndicate, was arrested last week.
Investigators revealed that Haldar maintained close contact with a Pakistani national named Azad Mallik, who acted as a middleman between Haldar and the seven accused Pakistanis.
Sources said these individuals followed the same method as Mallik — first acquiring fake Bangladeshi identity cards, then using forged Indian documents to secure Indian citizenship and passports. Mallik later operated a hawala and fake passport network from a rented house in Kolkata, according to the ED.
The agency has so far traced details of around 250 passports, including those belonging to the seven Pakistani nationals. Haldar allegedly earned over ₹2 crore in illegal commissions solely through Mallik’s referrals.
Haldar was arrested from Chakdaha in Nadia district and is currently in judicial custody. Mallik, who was arrested in April this year, also remains in custody.
The fake passport racket first came to light last year after an investigation by the West Bengal Police, which has since led to multiple arrests. The case was later handed over to the ED to examine its money laundering aspects.
During questioning, Mallik reportedly confessed that he also arranged fake visas for individuals seeking to travel abroad using forged documents.
The state police have so far filed charge sheets against 130 accused, including 120 illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators. Lookout notices have been issued for those still absconding.
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