A massive operation against illegal immigrants is underway in Delhi, with the police making substantial arrests in connection to the creation of fake Indian identity documents. On December 24, Delhi Police arrested 11 individuals, including five Bangladeshi nationals and six Indians, who were part of a large gang involved in generating fraudulent Aadhaar cards, birth certificates, and other identity documents for illegal immigrants.
The operation was launched by the Delhi Police following investigations into a network that was facilitating illegal immigrants, primarily from Bangladesh, in obtaining Indian identity documents.
According to DCP South Ankit Chauhan, the arrested individuals include Aadhaar card operators, technical experts, and people linked to the production of fake documents. The arrested individuals are also connected to the recent murder of Santo Sheikh, a man allegedly involved in bringing these immigrants into India.
In a detailed briefing, DCP Ankit Chauhan shared the operation’s key findings with the media. He explained that many of the illegal immigrants enter India through forest routes and then make their way to Delhi, where they connect with the gang responsible for creating fake identity documents.
The police arrested four people earlier in connection with a murder case, where they revealed they were Bangladeshis brought into India by Santo Sheikh. Sheikh is believed to have worked in collaboration with a man named Sahil, who runs the Poonam Computer Center in the Rohini area. Together, they are accused of producing counterfeit birth certificates and Aadhaar cards for these Bangladeshis.
“We arrested 11 individuals in total, with five being from Bangladesh and six being their Indian accomplices,” said DCP Chauhan. “The immigrants, after entering India, use these fake documents to gain access to various services in Delhi. Our investigation uncovered a website operated by Rajat Mishra, Saddam, Sonu Kumar, and Chand Mohammad. This website was responsible for generating at least 228 fake certificates, and we suspect that the total number could be in the thousands.”
The police have discovered that the gang used a sophisticated network of individuals to produce fake documents. The operation uncovered a website that was used to process the fraudulent applications, which allowed the illegal immigrants to obtain essential identification such as Aadhaar cards and voter cards. Among the arrests was a woman who had managed to obtain a voter card through this fraudulent network.
Police are actively investigating the extent of the gang’s operations, including where the immigrants with fake identities are residing in Delhi. Authorities are also attempting to determine the scale of the operation, including the total number of fake documents produced and distributed.
This crackdown comes ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections in February 2025, where the issue of illegal immigration has gained political significance. Lieutenant Governor V. K. Saxena has directed the Delhi Police to launch an intensive campaign against illegal immigrants in the city. The authorities have already identified 175 suspected Bangladeshi immigrants, and their documents are currently under scrutiny for verification.
As part of the ongoing efforts, Delhi schools have been instructed not to admit children of illegal immigrants. This move is part of a broader push to prevent illegal immigrants from gaining access to public services, including education.
The issue of illegal immigration has been a contentious one in Delhi’s political discourse. The BJP has repeatedly accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of providing shelter to illegal immigrants, a claim that the ruling party has denied. With the growing focus on this issue ahead of the elections, the ongoing operation is likely to shape political discussions in the coming months.
The Delhi Police’s ongoing investigations are expected to reveal more about the methods used by this illegal network and the extent of the infiltration. Authorities are also continuing to track the whereabouts of more illegal immigrants and their involvement in low-profile jobs, such as rag-picking and factory work. The police’s interrogation of the arrested individuals is likely to provide crucial leads in dismantling this extensive network.
