Police uncover fake passport racket, search on for foreign nationals registered illegally on Bengal voter list

Kolkata Police and enforcement agencies have uncovered a racket involving foreign nationals using fake documents to register as voters in West Bengal. The investigation intensified after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Azad Malik, a Pakistani national, from Kolkata. Azad Malik had first obtained Bangladeshi citizenship and later secured Indian citizenship through fraudulent documents. During the arrest, authorities seized documents including a voter identification card (EPIC), Aadhaar card, and an Indian passport in his possession.

Further inquiry revealed that Azad Malik was registered as a voter in the Dum Dum North Assembly constituency of North 24 Parganas district. This area falls under the Dum Dum Lok Sabha constituency. Records confirm that Azad Malik participated in the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as a registered voter in this region. The investigation shows he was able to cast votes using these fake documents.

Authorities have also identified multiple other foreign nationals who allegedly followed similar methods to get their names added to voter lists and participate in elections. These individuals reportedly used fake documentation repeatedly to establish their identity as Indian voters. Agencies are actively working to identify all those involved in this network and tracing their activities.

Officials have classified this case as a serious issue linked to national security. Various enforcement and investigative agencies are collaborating to investigate the extent of the racket and its impact on electoral rolls. The focus remains on identifying and removing fake voters to maintain the accuracy and integrity of the voter lists in West Bengal.