'Bangladeshi' held in India over passport forgery

The Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) of India yesterday reportedly arrested three men including a Bangladeshi national for allegedly making forged passports for illegal Bangladeshi residents in India.

Acting on a tip off, the men were arrested in separate raids conducted jointly by the ATS and Uttar Pradesh (UP) police intelligence in Delhi and Saharanpur. 

The Bangladeshi man has been identified as Yusuf Ali, ATS spokesperson Inspector General Aseem Arun confirmed. However, the authorities could not specify his place of origin in Bangladesh.

He said that the three are members of a gang allegedly involved in making forged passports and resident documents for illegal residents in India.

During investigations, the name of Yusuf Ali had come to light for obtaining a fake passport for himself and for being an active member of the gang, Arun said.

A number of fake documents, including driving licence, voter identity card, and residence proof, photo copy of passport, cheque books, and ATM cards were recovered from Yusuf Ali, he added.

The ATS is also investigating several entries of Rs One lakh deposited into Yusuf's bank account from Saudi Arabia, the spokesman said.

A laptop, printer, scanner, finished and unfinished forged documents and photographs were recovered from the other two, he said.

During interrogation, Yusuf confessed to preparing forged documents, the ATS spokesman said adding that they charge big amount for such documents.

Stern action will be taken against the revenue department employees and policemen facilitating the unlawful act, ATS spokesman added.

The arrested persons will be brought to Lucknow, capital city of Uttar Pradesh, on transit remand, Arun added.