ED Arrests Bangladeshi for Forging Indian Documents
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested a Bangladeshi national, Ajad Mallik alias Ahammed Hossain Azad, for allegedly preparing fake Indian identity documents, including passports and Aadhaar cards, for Bangladeshi citizens.
New Delhi:The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested a Bangladeshi national, Ajad Mallik alias Ahammed Hossain Azad, for allegedly preparing fake Indian identity documents, including passports and Aadhaar cards, for Bangladeshi citizens. The arrest was made under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the agency announced on Wednesday.
Mallik was taken into custody on Tuesday following raids at seven locations across West Bengal. A special PMLA court in Kolkata subsequently remanded him to 13-day ED custody.
During the searches, the ED recovered incriminating documents, digital devices, and ₹13.45 lakh in cash. The agency stated that Mallik was running an illegal racket that provided Indian government-issued identity documents — such as Voter IDs, Aadhaar cards, and passports — to Bangladeshi nationals in exchange for money.
The money laundering investigation stems from a police FIR filed against Mallik under the Foreigners Act, 1946. He was accused of staying in India without valid documentation and facilitating the preparation of fraudulent Indian identity documents for illegal immigrants.
The ED revealed that multiple bank accounts were operated under Mallik’s name and his proprietorship firm, Mallik Trading Corporation. Between 2018 and 2024, large sums of cash were allegedly deposited into these accounts, forming the "proceeds of crime."
Investigations also found that Mallik’s wife, Maymuna Akhter, and two sons, Osama Bin Azad and Omar Faruk, are Bangladeshi nationals residing in Bangladesh. Mallik frequently travelled to the neighbouring country to visit them, the ED noted.
In addition to document fraud, Mallik is also accused of involvement in hawala operations and unauthorised currency exchange activities. The ED alleged he "siphoned off" funds received for arranging illegal identity documents and conducted unauthorised forex services for individuals.
The agency said further investigations are underway to uncover the full scale of the network and identify other individuals involved.