In a major breakthrough in the West Bengal fake passport case, the Kolkata Police’s detective department submitted a 140-page chargesheet to an Alipore court on March 20, revealing the existence of a well-organised syndicate that facilitated Bangladeshi nationals in obtaining Indian passports using forged documents. The investigation has exposed a deep-rooted nexus involving police personnel, middlemen, and contractual workers at Passport Seva Kendras.
According to the chargesheet, 130 individuals have been named in the case, including 120 Bangladeshi nationals who acquired Indian passports fraudulently. Sources indicate that all 120 Bangladeshi nationals are currently absconding. The accused face charges of cheating, forgery, criminal breach of trust by a public servant, criminal conspiracy, and violations under the Passport Act and Foreigners Act.
Among those arrested is Abdul Hai, a former sub-inspector (SI) of the Kolkata Police, who was instrumental in clearing at least 52 police verifications for fake passport applications. Investigators have revealed that Hai, who was associated with the Security Control Organisation (SCO) of the city police for three years, used his position to bypass verification procedures in exchange for monetary gains. He reportedly charged Rs. 25,000 per passport verification.
Police sources confirmed that Hai was closely associated with Samaresh Biswas, the prime accused in the case, along with his son Ripan Biswas. Other arrested individuals include Dipankar Das, Manoj Gupta, and Dipak Mondal, all of whom played key roles in orchestrating the scam.
The scam came to light in November 2024 when a complaint was lodged by an officer from the Security Control Organisation at the Bhowanipore Police Station. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to probe the matter, leading to multiple arrests and significant revelations regarding the network’s operations.
Investigators found that the masterminds, Samaresh Biswas and Manoj Gupta, employed a multi-tiered system to ensure Bangladeshi nationals could acquire Indian passports. Agents and sub-agents were paid between Rs. 2,500 to Rs. 4,000 to identify foreign nationals seeking Indian documentation. An additional Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 7,000 was paid to individuals who procured fake documents, including Aadhaar cards and ration cards, which were submitted along with the passport applications.
Notably, the scam exploited a loophole where original Aadhaar numbers were used, but the name and photograph were altered to match the Bangladeshi applicant’s details.
The SIT also arrested two contractual workers employed at the Passport Seva Kendra, who played a crucial role in uploading forged documents into the passport application system. These individuals reportedly charged Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 3,000 per application to ensure smooth processing.
Of the 130 accused, 10 individuals have been arrested. Among them, eight remain in judicial custody until March 17, while two have secured bail. The Kolkata Police have also issued lookout notices against 69 individuals whose passports were impounded during the investigation. However, it remains unclear if all 69 are Bangladeshi nationals.
In addition to the arrests, authorities seized Rs. 12.5 lakhs from Abdul Hai’s bank account, which was believed to be proceeds from the fraudulent verifications he conducted. Police sources suggest that at least 200 fake passport cases have been identified within the jurisdiction of the Kolkata Police alone.
The scam has raised serious concerns over security lapses in the passport issuance process and the involvement of law enforcement officials in facilitating illegal immigration.
Passports are not the only illegally obtained documents aiding Bangladeshi settlers in West Bengal. In December 2024, Organiser reported how Bangladeshi SIM cards have flooded local markets, enabling seamless cross-border communication without international calling charges.
Smugglers and traders frequently use these SIMs, exploiting Bangladeshi telecom networks that extend up to five kilometers inside Indian territory. A police officer revealed that a dropped phone from a fleeing smuggler confirmed the use of foreign SIMs within India.
Investigations revealed that these SIMs are sold discreetly at local paan and grocery shops for Rs 5,000, with third-party delivery ensuring anonymity. In the past six weeks alone, 52 intruders were caught, highlighting the scale of the infiltration. Villages like Durlabhpur have become hubs for illegal settlers, with local panchayats reluctant to report them due to familial ties.
Security experts warn that the unchecked sale of Bangladeshi SIMs not only threatens national security but also facilitates cross-border crimes.
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