Kolkata, October 20 (Udaipur Kiran): The Enforcement Directorate (ED), probing a multi-crore fake passport racket in West Bengal, is now searching for seven suspected Pakistani nationals who allegedly obtained Indian passports through the syndicate.
According to ED officials, the passports were arranged by Indu Bhushan Haldar, a technical expert believed to be the key operator of the racket. Haldar was arrested last week. Investigators found that Haldar was in contact with a Pakistani national, Azad Mallik, who acted as a middleman between Haldar and the seven suspects.
Sources revealed that all seven individuals followed the same procedure as Mallik — first procuring fake Bangladeshi identity cards, then using forged Indian documents to obtain Indian citizenship. Subsequently, Mallik allegedly operated a hawala and fake passport network from a rented house in Kolkata.
The ED has so far obtained details of around 250 passports, including those belonging to the seven Pakistani nationals. It is alleged that Haldar earned nearly ₹2 crore in illegal commissions solely on Mallik’s recommendations.
Haldar was arrested from Chakdaha in Nadia district last week and is currently in judicial custody. Mallik, who was arrested in April this year, also remains in judicial custody.
The fake passport racket was first exposed by the West Bengal Police last year, leading to several arrests. Later, the case was handed over to the ED to investigate the money-laundering aspects.
In April, the ED made a breakthrough after Mallik’s interrogation revealed that he was also involved in arranging fake visas for individuals seeking to travel abroad.
So far, the state police have filed charge sheets against 130 accused in the case, including 120 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. Lookout notices have been issued against them.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.