Kolkata, Apr 17 (UNI) The Enforcement Directorate has arrested a Bangladeshi national from North 24 Parganas who was making forged Indian passports, Aadhaar cards and other ID documents for Bangladeshi immigrants in exchange for money. Several incriminating documents and cash of over Rs13 lakh were seized from his possession, the ED said.
The ED on Tuesday raided at least seven locations, including Birati in North 24 Parganas, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and arrested Ajad Mallik alias Ahammed Hossain Azad, a Bangladeshi national. During the search operation, several incriminating documents, digital devices, and cash amounting to Rs. 13.45 lakh were seized.
Mallik was produced before a special court, which remanded him to 13 days ED custody. The ED, based on FIR registered against Ajad Mallik and unknown others under Section 14 and 14A of the Foreigners Act, 1946, arrested him.
He was found to be residing in India without valid documents, and was involved in making Indian passports and other documents through fraudulent means for illegal immigrants in exchange of money, the ED said.
Investigation have revealed that several bank accounts are being maintained in the name of Ajad Mallik.
He was involved in arranging fraudulently obtained identity documents like Voter ID card, Passport, Aadhar Card for Bangladeshi nationals, through which proceeds of crime (PoC) were generated and laundered, the ED said.
Investigation revealed that substantial cash was deposited in his accounts and his proprietorship firm, M/s Mallik Trading Corporation, during the period from 2018 to 2024.
The ED investigation revealed that the family of Ajad Mallik, including his two sons - Osama Bin Azad, Omar Faruk, and his wife Maymuna Akhter, are still residing in Bangladesh and are citizens of Bangladesh.
The ED came to know that Mallik was involved in Hawala transactions to siphon off the funds received by him in exchange for arranging Indian government ID proofs for Bangladeshi Nationals.
The investigation also revealed that Ajad Mallik was providing unauthorised currency exchange services to various individuals.
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