Bangladeshi National Caught Trying to Fly to Congo with Fake Indian Passport

In a significant immigration fraud case, a Bangladeshi national was arrested at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport while attempting to travel to Congo using a counterfeit Indian passport. The incident, which revealed a larger network of forged documents, has prompted a thorough investigation by the Sahar Police. The suspect, identified as Sukanta Mallick, admitted to illegally entering India and obtaining various identification documents through fraudulent means. Authorities are now on high alert as they work to uncover the syndicate behind this operation.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 25, 2026, 10:31 IST

Arrest at Mumbai Airport Uncovers Major Fraud Scheme

Mumbai: Authorities apprehended a Bangladeshi individual attempting to board a flight to Congo with a counterfeit Indian passport at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, as reported on Wednesday.

Officials indicated that this incident is part of a broader investigation into a network involved in the creation of forged documents during immigration checks.

The situation unfolded when immigration officials detected inconsistencies in the documents presented by the suspect, leading to the discovery of several counterfeit identification papers.

The Sahar Police have initiated a thorough investigation into the matter.

An official statement highlighted the vigilance of the immigration staff at the airport, stating, "A significant fraud operation has been uncovered, resulting in the arrest of a Bangladeshi national attempting to escape abroad with a forged Indian passport."

The event transpired around 4:15 a.m. when immigration officer Ganesh Gawli was on duty and a passenger approached for verification. Initially, the documents seemed legitimate, but further scrutiny raised suspicions.

The individual presented an Indian passport with a Kolkata address, but officials noted that the mobile number had a Bangladeshi country code.

This discrepancy led to more in-depth questioning, and the suspect was taken to senior officers for further interrogation.

Under sustained questioning, the individual revealed his true identity as Sukanta Mallick, a 39-year-old from Gopalganj district in Bangladesh, admitting to having entered India illegally in 2012.

He also confessed to obtaining an Indian passport in 2022 using forged documents.

Investigators discovered that he had fraudulently acquired additional identification documents, including a PAN card, Voter ID, and Ration Card.

The suspect was set to board flight TC-401 from Mumbai to Dar City, Congo, intending to establish residency abroad under a false Indian identity.

Immigration officials recovered various documents from him, including the fake Indian passport, a Bangladeshi birth certificate, his mother's passport, and a mobile device.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the suspect may have been part of a larger organized group involved in producing forged documents to facilitate illegal residency in India and international travel.

Following the arrest, the Immigration Department transferred the suspect to the Sahar Police for further legal proceedings. Charges including fraud, forgery, and illegal residency are being filed against him.

In response to this incident, security and immigration agencies at the airport have heightened their alert levels, and efforts are underway to identify those who aided the suspect in obtaining the forged documents and facilitating his travel attempt.