Bangladeshi National Arrested in Kolkata for Illegal Passport Operations
Enforcement Directorate Takes Action
New Delhi: On Wednesday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) announced the arrest of a Bangladeshi individual in Kolkata for his involvement in the illegal production of Indian passports and Aadhaar cards for citizens from Bangladesh.
Ajad Mallik, also known as Ahammed Hossain Azad, was apprehended on Tuesday after the ED conducted searches at seven locations across West Bengal.
Following his arrest, a special court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in Kolkata remanded Mallik to 13 days of ED custody.
During the searches, the ED confiscated several incriminating documents, digital devices, and cash totaling Rs 13.45 lakh.
This money laundering investigation originated from a local police FIR against Mallik, who was charged under the Foreigners Act of 1946 for living in India without proper documentation and for his role in creating fraudulent Indian passports and other documents for illegal immigrants in exchange for money.
The agency revealed that multiple bank accounts were linked to Mallik and his business, Mallik Trading Corporation.
He was reportedly engaged in the distribution of illegally obtained identity documents, including Voter ID cards, passports, and Aadhaar cards, to Bangladeshi nationals.
The investigation indicated that Mallik generated illicit proceeds, with significant cash deposits made into his accounts between 2018 and 2024.
The ED's findings also highlighted that Mallik's family, consisting of his wife Maymuna Akhter and their two sons, Osama Bin Azad and Omar Faruk, are Bangladeshi citizens residing in Bangladesh.
India shares a lengthy international border of 4,096 km with Bangladesh.
Mallik reportedly made frequent trips to Bangladesh to visit his family, according to the ED.
Additionally, the agency accused Mallik of being involved in hawala transactions, diverting funds intended for arranging Indian government-issued ID proofs for Bangladeshi nationals.
He was also allegedly providing unauthorized currency exchange services to various clients.