How Delhi Police cracked a network smuggling illegal Bangladeshis via jungles and trains

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ET OnlineLast Updated: Dec 25, 2024, 03:04:00 PM IST

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Delhi Police has busted an illegal immigration nexus in the city, arresting 11 individuals including document forgers and tech experts. They created fake Aadhaar and other identification cards to facilitate illegal immigration from Bangladesh. This operation was uncovered during the investigation of a murder case in Sangam Vihar, revealing a larger immigration racket.

Delhi police arrests 11 people in connection with illeg... — Delhi police arrests 11 people in connection with illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and fake documents racket, at Media Centre, in New Delhi

Delhi police have arrested 11 people involved in an illegal immigration operation. The group created and distributed fake identification documents, including Aadhaar cards, voter IDs, and PAN cards. Those arrested include document forgers, Aadhaar operators, and the tech experts behind fake websites offering counterfeit documents, a TOI report stated.

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The arrests follow recent directives from the Delhi Lieutenant Governor's office to crack down on illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in the city.

The group facilitated illegal entry into India from Bangladesh via jungle routes and express trains. Upon arrival in Delhi, immigrants received fake Aadhaar cards, SIM cards, and cash.

The investigation began with the October 21 murder of Sentu Sheikh alias Raja in the Sangam Vihar area. Four Bangladeshi nationals were arrested for the murder, leading police to the larger immigration network.

“During the investigation, we arrested four Bangladeshis who admitted to murdering Sentu. On sustained interrogation, we found out details about a larger immigration racket operating in Delhi,” DCP (south) Ankit Chauhan said.

These individuals possessed fake Indian identification but also had their real Bangladeshi documents, including national ID cards and birth certificates. A search of the deceased's residence uncovered 21 Aadhaar cards, 4 voter ID cards, and 8 PAN cards, all suspected to be fake.

The police subsequently arrested the operators of a fake document website, Jantaprints.site, and an Aadhaar operator who used fraudulent documents to create the cards. The website offered a variety of fake documents at very low prices and was designed to look legitimate.

The investigation also uncovered a financial network involving payments through Paytm QR codes and a middleman connecting various parts of the operation. Police seized laptops, phones, an Aadhaar card machine, and forged documents. The group often created Aadhaar cards for individuals appearing to be under 18, as these were easier to process.

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