In a startling revelation, authorities in Maharashtra’s Pune uncovered how a Rohingya Muslim man from Myanmar managed to evade detection for over a decade, living as an illegal immigrant while acquiring key Indian identity documents, land, and even an Indian passport. The case highlights glaring vulnerabilities in the system, raising concerns over national security and document authenticity.
Discovery of a Decade-Long Deception
The incident came to light in July 2024, when the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in Pune arrested four Rohingyas, including two men and their wives, from the Dehu Road Cantonment area. Among them was 43-year-old Muzammil Mohammad Amin Khan, whose decade-long presence in India stunned authorities. Investigations revealed that Amin Khan had not only built a life for himself but also managed to obtain Indian passports for both himself and his wife, along with other critical identification documents.
Troubling Journey Across Borders
Amin Khan’s story began in Myanmar, where he received religious training as a Maulana. Fleeing persecution, he moved to Bangladesh with his wife and two daughters in December 2012, settling in a refugee camp. Facing financial hardships, he separated from his first wife and remarried another Rohingya woman, Shafika, with whom he had a son.
In 2013, Amin Khan paid agents to help him cross the border illegally into India via West Bengal. He initially sought work in Kolkata but eventually moved to Pune, where he found employment in a private company at the Talegaon MIDC industrial area. Over time, he started a small business selling children’s clothes and later expanded into the betel nut trade.
Exploiting Loopholes to Secure Identity
Amin Khan’s assimilation into Indian society was facilitated by the fraudulent acquisition of an Aadhaar card. According to police, he paid Rs 500 to a shop in Bhiwandi, Thane district, where agents allegedly submitted fake documents on his behalf. Using the Aadhaar card, Amin Khan secured similar documents for his wife and established himself as a local businessman.
Illegal Land Purchase and Home Construction
With a stable income, Amin Khan sought to own property. He met a woman named Chandrabhaga Kamble on Dehu Road and purchased a 600-square-foot plot of land near her house for Rs 80,000 in cash. The transaction, conducted without any formal registration, allowed Amin Khan to build a house on the property. Despite Kamble’s death a few years ago, the land remained in her name in government records. However, Amin Khan managed to register the electricity connection in his own name.
Unravelling of the Ruse
Amin Khan’s double life might have gone undetected if not for an arrest in July 2024. The ATS detained a 35-year-old Rohingya named Shahid, alias Sohidul Sheikh, who had been living in India since 2015. During interrogation, Shahid disclosed that “Mujammil Mamu,” residing on Dehu Road, was also a Rohingya from Myanmar.
Acting on this information, police raided Amin Khan’s home, arresting him and his wife. The investigation revealed a trove of documents and items, including mobile phones, SIM cards, Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, Bangladeshi currency notes, and passports.
Legal Action
On July 27, a case was registered against Amin Khan and his wife under the Foreigners Act and the Passport Act. Authorities are now probing the role of local agents and individuals who may have assisted Amin Khan in acquiring false documents and facilitating his settlement.
The family of Chandrabhaga Kamble, who sold the land to Amin Khan, claimed ignorance of his foreign origins. Police are investigating how he evaded detection for so long while securing multiple official documents.
This case serves as an example to tighten border security and improve document verification processes. With increasing reports of illegal immigrants blending into local populations, authorities face mounting pressure to address systemic lapses that pose significant national security risks.
