Barasat police in West Bengal have apprehended a man named Samir Das, identified as the mastermind behind sophisticated operations involving the creation of counterfeit Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and other essential documents, for foreign nationals, particularly Bangladeshis. Police sources indicate that Das had amassed a substantial clientele in Bangladesh, who frequently commissioned his services to obtain these forged documents.

News18 sources reveal that Barasat police, acting on a technical tip, initiated an operation to track down Samir Das. On Tuesday night, Das was apprehended and subjected to interrogation. A subsequent search of his mobile phone yielded a trove of incriminating evidence, including numerous Bangladeshi phone numbers and photographs, along with a collection of counterfeit Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and other official documents.
In a statement to News18, Barasat’s superintendent of police Pratiksha Jharkhariya stated, “We received technical intelligence about this individual, prompting a thorough investigation and subsequent tracking. Our investigation revealed his involvement in manufacturing Aadhaar cards, voter ID cards, and birth certificates for individuals lacking Indian citizenship. We also discovered various suspicious materials on his mobile device. We have arrested him and are currently investigating the extent of his operation."

This arrest raises significant concerns as Das is believed to have produced a considerable number of fraudulent documents, potentially posing a substantial security risk. The most alarming aspect is the longevity of Das’s operation and the existence of a fixed price list for his illicit services.

News18 sources disclose that Das had a rate chart and he charged between Rs 15,000 and Rs 20,000 for an Aadhaar card, Rs 12,000 for a birth certificate, and Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 for a PAN card. It has also come to light that Samir Das himself immigrated to India from Bangladesh after 1971 and maintains extensive contacts within Bangladesh.

Sources reveal to News18 that Das collaborated with an accomplice in Bangladesh responsible for sourcing clients. These clients, all foreign nationals, would enter India on legitimate visas. Upon arrival, Das would meet with them, gather their details, and subsequently house them in specific localities, falsely presenting them as their addresses, facilitating the fabrication of their fraudulent documents.

Kolkata police are currently investigating a separate case involving fake passports. Sources suggest that such illicit operations have witnessed a surge in activity following recent developments in Bangladesh, indicating that Samir Das’s arrest may be just the tip of the iceberg. Experts believe this could potentially expose a much larger network, posing a significant threat to national security.

This case eerily echoes the so-called municipality scam, where a similar rate chart was discovered for the sale of government jobs. If this racket proves to be as extensive as suspected, it could have far-reaching implications for national security, say sources.