Kolkata, 2 August (H.S.) – A startling cache of forged Indian identity documents has been recovered from the rented apartment of Bangladeshi model Shanta Pal, raising serious concerns about an organized network facilitating such illegal activities. The documents, seized by the Special Task Force (STF) of Kolkata Police during a recent raid, include multiple Aadhaar cards with different addresses, voter ID, ration card, and an Indian passport—despite Pal being a foreign national.
According to police sources, the raid was conducted in the Vikramgarh area, where Pal had been residing. Investigators found at least two Aadhaar cards bearing different Indian addresses—one in Kolkata and another in Bardhaman—suggesting deliberate manipulation of identity records. A voter ID, ration card, and an Indian passport were also recovered, all reportedly forged. Alongside these, her original Bangladeshi passport—expired in 2025—was also found at the premises.
The police believe these documents were not isolated creations but the product of a larger mechanism. Various advertisement clippings and phone numbers linked to agencies promising quick documentation were also recovered from the site, hinting at the possible involvement of a document forgery racket operating in the region.
Officials said that although Pal had entered India legally on a visa in 2023, she continued to live in the country even after the visa expired, relying on these forged documents for residence and possibly employment. Her background in the Bangladeshi film and modeling industry, as well as her recent involvement in the Telugu film sector and tourism business efforts, are now being closely examined for further leads.
Kolkata Police have initiated a full-scale investigation into how these forged documents were generated, who facilitated them, and whether similar identity frauds have enabled other foreign nationals to settle illegally in India. Authorities have filed charges under the Foreigners Act, Passport Act, and Indian Penal Code.
Sources in the STF indicated that more arrests may follow, as the investigation continues to uncover connections suggesting a well-organized syndicate involved in manufacturing and distributing fake Indian documents.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
