ED raids multiple locations in Nadia over fake passport case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has significantly escalated its investigation into a sophisticated passport fraud racket linked to Pakistani national Ahmed Hussain Azad, who was operating under the alias Azad Malik. ED has raided the premises of Biplab Sarkar, a resident of Chakdah and a suspected key accomplice. Sarkar is believed to have acted as an agent, facilitating the fraudulent acquisition of genuine Indian passports and other identity documents for foreigners in exchange for hefty sums.

The current wave of raids, which include Sarkar's residence and other associated locations, was triggered after the ED obtained specific intelligence. Sources within the agency suggest that Sarkar was actively involved in arranging the fake paperwork necessary for non-Indian nationals to obtain Indian identity cards and subsequent passports, operating as a crucial link in the chain for monetary gain.

His name was initially flagged during the interrogation of Indu Bhushan Halder, who had already been arrested for his alleged involvement in aiding non-Indians to procure fraudulent Indian identity cards. The scope of the investigation has now expanded to include members of Biplab Sarkar's family, who are also being scrutinised for their possible involvement in this wide-ranging illegal network.