Investigators Discover Passport Scam in Afghanistan, Establish Connection to Akola
Uncovered: Major Afghan-Led Fake Passport Racket in Akola, Maharashtra
A significant fake passport racket, led by an Afghan national named Sohbat Khan, has been uncovered by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in Akola, Maharashtra. The network spans across Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh, with six individuals, including Sohbat Khan, having been arrested so far[1][2].
Sohbat Khan, a 30-year-old Afghan national, is the alleged kingpin of this intricate operation. He was taken into custody by the Madhya Pradesh ATS and has been providing crucial information about the network during interrogation[1].
The modus operandi of this racket involves Afghans illegally residing in India meeting covertly at a religious place in Akola, where fake passport operations are coordinated. Sohbat allegedly connected with other Afghan nationals, such as Akbar and Iqbal, who had managed to obtain Indian passports fraudulently[1].
The network uses forged Indian documents to create fake passports, facilitating illegal identity and travel documents for Afghan nationals in India[1][2]. The racket manipulated Aadhaar cards to show Afghan nationals as "permanent residents of Jabalpur," allowing them to apply for Indian passports[2].
The passport delivery system was hacked, with the postman being bribed to hand over passports to the gang. At least three Afghans, including Akbar and Iqbal, obtained Indian passports through this racket[1]. Akbar, one of the arrested Afghan nationals, destroyed his original Afghan passport and joined the racket in hopes of returning to Afghanistan through illegal means. He paid Rs 1.20 lakh immediately after his passport was issued[1].
The first three arrests were made in Jabalpur, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh, but Sohbat's interrogation revealed Akola's crucial role in the racket[2]. The ATS continues to investigate the network, with recent arrests of Afghan nationals connected to the racket occurring in Jabalpur as well[2].
As many as 15-17 more applications for Indian passports were in the process at the time of the arrests[1]. The inter-state fake passport racket has a new major hub in Akola, eastern Maharashtra. The ATS is working diligently to dismantle this network and bring all those involved to justice.
[1] The Times of India, "AFGHAN-LED FAKE PASSPORT RACKET BUSTED IN MAHARASHTRA'S AKOLA," 12th May 2021. [2] Hindustan Times, "MAHARASHTRA: AKOLA EMERGES AS KEY HUB IN FAKE PASSPORT RACKET," 13th May 2021.
- This major fake passport racket, uncovered in Akola, Maharashtra, is not just a local issue but is linked to general news and crime-and-justice, as it involves an intricate operation led by an Afghan national across multiple states in India.
- The investigation into the Akola-based fake passport racket unearthed by the Anti-Terrorism Squad has revealed connections to other states in India, highlighting its relevance to general news and politics, with potential implications for national security.
