Pakistani arrested in Kolkata for fake passport racket, posed as Bangladeshi says ED

In a major breakthrough in a passport fraud investigation, Azad Malik, a Pakistani national, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Kolkata for running a fake passport operation. Azad had been living in Kolkata under the false identity of Azad Hussain, claiming to be a Bangladeshi national. He was arrested 14 days ago from his residence in Virati, where he operated the illegal passport racket. Investigators allege that Azad forged documents for individuals crossing from Bangladesh into India, facilitating their entry into the country.

Azad’s background reveals that he entered India at the age of 12-13, traveling from Pakistan via Bangladesh. He had stayed in multiple camps during his early years in India and learned Bengali to blend in. Over the years, he became involved in the creation of fake passports using forged documents. The ED claims that Azad had developed significant knowledge of the local systems, which helped him run the fraud undetected for a long time.

The investigation also uncovered a possible link between Azad and a female associate, whom he reportedly intended to marry. However, after his arrest, authorities lost contact with her, and efforts are underway to locate her. Additionally, Azad had applied for both a visa and an Indian driving license, further complicating his involvement in fraudulent activities. The case has raised concerns about vulnerabilities in India’s documentation systems and the ongoing issue of illegal immigration.