Kolkata, 14 June (H.S.) – In a significant revelation, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has uncovered the involvement of a Pakistani national, Azad Mallik, in a fake voter ID racket operating in West Bengal. Mallik, who was arrested in April for obtaining a fake Indian passport and links to a hawala network, is now found to have played a key role in procuring bogus voter identity cards (EPICs) and distributing them among illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.
According to ED sources, concrete leads have emerged during the investigation indicating that Mallik was actively facilitating the creation and distribution of fake voter IDs in border districts, particularly for infiltrators from Bangladesh. The agency has sought records from the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal concerning 78 EPIC holders, of which at least 55 cards were allegedly arranged by Mallik. These voter IDs were mainly issued in the North 24 Parganas and Nadia districts.
The CEO has instructed district authorities to verify the identities of the listed individuals. The final verification report is expected to be submitted to the ED by the end of June.
During interrogation, Mallik reportedly admitted that his name was enrolled in the voter list of Dum Dum North Assembly constituency in North 24 Parganas. He also claimed to have cast votes in both the 2021 and 2024 elections. The ED has formally requested the Election Commission to share documentation that led to the issuance of Mallik’s voter ID.
This case comes at a politically sensitive time as West Bengal prepares for assembly elections next year, and concerns over foreign nationals acquiring Indian identity documents have gained prominence.
In a related development, the CEO’s office on Friday deleted the name of another individual, Newton Das, from the electoral roll. Das was found to hold dual citizenship of India and Bangladesh and had reportedly been involved in a student protest in Bangladesh last year. His name had been listed under the Kakdwip Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas.
Mallik’s case, however, is even more complex. Initially believed to be a Bangladeshi national based on documents recovered during his arrest, the ED informed a Kolkata special court on April 29 that Mallik had confessed to being a Pakistani citizen. He allegedly first acquired Bangladeshi citizenship using forged documents and then employed a similar method to obtain Indian identity papers, including a passport.
The case highlights growing concerns over the misuse of Indian identification systems by foreign nationals and their potential role in influencing electoral processes. The ED’s ongoing probe may lead to further revelations in the coming weeks.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
