KANNUR: The Kannur Town Police have arrested five Bangladeshi women who were allegedly staying and working in Keralam without valid visas or passports, with investigators recovering forged Indian identity documents, including Aadhaar cards, during the probe.
The arrests, carried out over two days, began with the detention of Salina Akter from a spa near Kannur railway station. Based on information received from the intelligence wing, police subsequently traced four more women staying in rented accommodation at Thana and working at a spa and massage centre in the city.
The four women arrested subsequently were identified as Nazma Akthar (40), K. Taslima (25), K. Moina (29), and Nasrin Bibi (28). Police said all five were residing in Kannur and working at spa or massage establishments.
According to the information provided by police, the women were found without valid travel documents and were booked under provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act before being produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody.
Forged Aadhaar Cards raise security concerns
A major finding in the investigation was the recovery of Bangladeshi documents alongside forged Indian identity papers, including Aadhaar cards. Investigators suspect that forged documents were used to establish an Indian identity and facilitate employment and movement within the country.
Police investigations have reportedly pointed towards an organised network of agents operating across multiple states. According to the probe, women allegedly enter India through the Bangladesh, West Bengal route before travelling onwards to other parts of the country.
Investigators have also received information about the alleged creation of forged Aadhaar cards and mobile SIM cards after the women reach West Bengal. The women are then reportedly moved to different states, including Keralam, for employment.
The investigation has reportedly identified links involving Guwahati, West Bengal, Mumbai, Karnataka and Keralam, suggesting that the movement and documentation process may extend beyond Kannur.
Agencies suspected of facilitating movement
Police investigations have reportedly indicated the involvement of agencies and intermediaries that facilitate the movement of Bangladeshi women to different parts of India. According to the information emerging from the investigation, some of the women allegedly paid as much as Rs 1 lakh to an interstate forgery network to obtain fake identity documents.
Police are examining how the forged documents were generated and how the women were able to secure employment and accommodation using those identities. The investigation has also raised questions over verification procedures followed by employers, particularly in sectors where workers are recruited through intermediaries.
Spas under Police scanner
Police said many of the women identified during the investigation had come to Keralam to work in spas and massage centres. Recruitment was reportedly facilitated through agents, with Mumbai emerging as one of the locations connected to the recruitment chain.
Investigators said some of the workers largely remained at their workplaces or accommodation and continued working even on days off. The possibility of other undocumented foreign nationals working in similar establishments is now being examined.
The investigation is also looking into the role of intermediaries who allegedly connect workers with employers and arrange accommodation and documentation.
The arrests have prompted the Kannur police to expand inspections and verification efforts in the city and other parts of Keralam amid suspicion that more foreign nationals may be staying in the state without valid documentation.
Kannur City Police Commissioner B.V. Vijay Bharat Reddy said those arrested would be deported to Bangladesh after completion of the legal proceedings and remand period, subject to the applicable procedure.
The police team involved in the operation was led by Town Police Inspector Mahesh Kandambeth and Town Sub-Inspector T.K. Akhil, along with Civil Police Officers Kiran, Vijesh and P.C. Neethu.
