Apprehension of illegal Bangla immigrants leads to Mumbai-based criminal network
Shillong, Apr 20: In a major breakthrough in crimes committed by illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in India, Meghalaya police busted a cross-border criminal network involved in illegal entry, identity forgery and banking fraud across the country.
Altogether seven persons, including three Indians from Mumbai, were arrested in the over two-month-long joint operation by Meghalaya and Mumbai Police.
Acting on inputs about a group of suspected Bangladeshi nationals traveling from Guwahati to Shillong, the police on 14 February set up a checkpoint at Nongpoh where five suspicious passengers – four adults and a child – were picked up from a vehicle.
Although they produced Aadhaar and PAN cards to claim their Indian nationality, rigorous interrogation revealed their true identity as Bangladeshi nationals, who had illegally entered India two months ago with the help of an elaborate smuggling network.
They travelled as far as Mumbai seeking work and were en route to Bangladesh when arrested.
According to police, they confessed to obtaining identity documents –Aadhaar and PAN cards – through one Shaikh Mohd Mujib based in Mumbai’s Sewri area.
Allegedly a key facilitator, Mujib arranged forged documents using fake address proofs and enlisted middlemen to move illegal immigrants through border towns to metropolitan cities such as Mumbai, Ahmedabad, etc.
It was also revealed that a criminal racket was operating in Mumbai involving more persons – Nusrat A Kazi and Jabir Yunus Shaikh – who exploited fake identities to open bank accounts in the immigrants’ names. These accounts were then allegedly used for loan frauds and cybercrimes, including being sold to cybercriminals for financial scams.
With revelation about the gang in Mumbai, a special investigation team led by assistant superintendent of police (ASP) Ashu Pant under the guidance of SSP Ri-Bhoi Vivekanand Singh Rathore, proceeded to Mumbai where they conducted a week-long long series of raids.
In the entire operation conducted across Navi Mumbai and South Bombay, the team received operational backing from Mumbai police with critical support from commissioner of police, Navi Mumbai, Milind Bharambe.
The accused – Nusrat A Kazi and Jabir Yunus Shaikh – were apprehended from Koparkhairane and Ulwe respectively, while Shaikh Mohd Mujib was arrested from Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Marg, South Mumbai.
The raids led to the seizure of forged documents, incriminating digital evidence, and tools used for fabricating IDs.
All the accused have been brought to Meghalaya on transit remand for further investigation.
Ri-Bhoi SP termed the incident a larger security wake-up call, asserting that this is not an isolated incident.
“It reflects a well-oiled network of illegal migration, document forgery, and financial crime with serious implications for national security,” he said.
He also emphasised the vulnerability of states like Meghalaya with porous and difficult-to-monitor borders with Bangladesh, especially in view of the increased internal political instability in the neighbouring country.
“Authorities fear that thousands of such illegal immigrants may have acquired Indian documents and are being misused for various financial crimes,” he said.
Calling for heightened vigilance from intelligence agencies and law enforcement across states, he said the case also highlights the urgent need for diplomatic engagement with Bangladesh, border infrastructure enhancement, and proactive policy measures to prevent such systemic breaches.
Further, Rathore said this successful operation reflects the excellent coordination between Meghalaya and Maharashtra Police, executed under the able leadership of CP Navi Mumbai Milind Bharambe and SSP Ri-Bhoi.
