In yet another alarming instance of cross-border infiltration, Kolkata Police have arrested a Bangladeshi national who allegedly entered India illegally and managed to procure multiple forged identity documents for just Rs 15,000. The arrest has once again highlighted the deep-rooted network facilitating illegal immigration and identity fraud across West Bengal.
The accused, Azad Sheikh (41), a native of Boalmari in Bangladesh’s Faridpur district, was apprehended on May 18 after the car he was driving hit an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) near Netaji Nagar police station in south Kolkata. Upon verification, the police discovered that his Aadhaar card and driving licence were forged.
Infiltration, Forgery and a Local Support System
Subsequent investigation revealed that Azad had been living in Khassankdaha, in the North 24 Parganas district, since October 2023. According to police sources, he entered India illegally with the help of a cross-border agent who arranged for his stay with one Zafar Ali Sheikh, a resident under the Nazat police station limits.
Zafar allegedly posed as Azad’s elder brother and facilitated the creation of forged documents, including an Aadhaar card, ration card, driving licence, and even a PM Awaas Yojana beneficiary card—fraudulently listing his own parents as Azad’s. Police have since arrested Zafar for his role in aiding illegal immigration and identity fraud.
Azad Sheikh has been booked under Section 14A(b) of the Foreigners Act and Section 212 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertains to harbouring an offender.
A Pattern of Illegal Cross-Border Infiltration
This case adds to a growing list of recent arrests of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in West Bengal, raising serious concerns about national security and document integrity.
• May 10, 2025: Four Bangladeshi nationals were arrested from Barasat in North 24 Parganas for illegally residing in India with forged Indian documents. They had been working in small-scale industries under assumed identities.
• April 28, 2025: Two Bangladeshi women were detained in Basirhat for allegedly sneaking into the country with the help of touts. Both were found in possession of fake Aadhaar and voter ID cards.
• March 30, 2025: Border Security Force (BSF) intercepted a group of six Bangladeshi nationals trying to cross the India-Bangladesh border near Bangaon. One of the arrested individuals was found to be a repeat offender, having been deported earlier.
These incidents point to a well-oiled network of human traffickers and forgers operating along the porous Indo-Bangladesh border, particularly in the North and South 24 Parganas, Nadia, and Murshidabad districts.
Rising National Security Concerns
Security officials warn that the unchecked influx of illegal immigrants, often equipped with government welfare scheme documents, not only burdens public resources but also creates potential security risks. The use of forged identity cards allows these individuals to blend seamlessly into local populations, making detection increasingly difficult.
In response, Kolkata Police and central intelligence agencies have stepped up monitoring of border areas and urban clusters where such activities have been reported frequently. Enhanced surveillance, biometric verification, and community policing are being deployed to curb the spread of this growing menace.
Meanwhile, the NIA and other agencies are expected to question the arrested individuals further to uncover the larger racket involved in facilitating such cross-border movements and identity forgery.
As the investigation unfolds, more arrests are likely, and authorities are pushing for stricter enforcement and policy review to address the loopholes exploited by illegal infiltrators.
