How did ED uncover the racket of 7 Pakistani citizens holding fake Indian passports?

Fake Indian Passport Racket: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating a multi-crore fake passport racket in West Bengal. The Enforcement Directorate is now working to locate 7 Pakistani nationals who allegedly obtained fake Indian passports through this racket. According to ED officials, the arrangement of these passports was handled by the gang’s technical operator Indu Bhusan Halder, who was arrested last week.

Who is involved?
The investigation has also revealed that Halder met with Pakistani national Azad Mullick, who acted as an intermediary between these 7 suspects and Halder. Mullick was arrested earlier this year in connection with this racket.

ED, Kolkata has arrested Indubhushan Haldar alias Dullal on 13.10.2025, a middleman involved in facilitating issuance of Indian Passports for Bangladeshi Nationals, in the case of Azad Hussain @ Ajad Mallik @ Ahammed Hossain Azad a Pakistani national. He was produced before the…

Racket’s Bangladesh Connection
Officials believe that all seven suspects used the same method to obtain Indian identity as Mullick did. Originally from Pakistan, Mullick first created fake Bangladeshi identity documents to present himself as Bangladeshi, after which he prepared fake Indian documents to obtain an Indian passport. Using this identity, he started operating a hawala business and fake passport racket from a rented house in Kolkata.

2 Crore Earnings
According to sources, ED has so far collected records of about 250 passports, including those of these 7 Pakistani nationals. It is reported that Halder arranged most of these passports based on Mullick’s recommendations. Initial investigation has revealed that Halder earned approximately 2 crore rupees by arranging fake passports for clients sent by Mullick.

Suspected Money Laundering
Halder was arrested from Chakdaha in Nadia district and is currently in judicial custody. Meanwhile, Mullick was also arrested in April and is in judicial custody. This entire fake passport racket first came to light during West Bengal Police action late last year. Later, when suspected money laundering aspects were found, the investigation was taken over by the Enforcement Directorate.

Enforcement Directorate

The Enforcement Directorate is not a physical place or cultural site, but a specialized financial investigation agency of the Indian government. It was established in 1956 to enforce the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA) and is now primarily responsible for investigating economic crimes, particularly money laundering and foreign exchange violations. Its role has become increasingly prominent in India’s legal and financial landscape.

West Bengal

West Bengal is a state in eastern India with a rich cultural and historical heritage, famously known as the birthplace of the Bengali Renaissance. Its capital, Kolkata, served as the capital of British India until 1911 and was a major center for art, literature, and social reform. The state is celebrated for its contributions to literature, music, cinema, and festivals like Durga Puja.

Kolkata

Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, was established as a British East India Company trading post in 1690 and served as the capital of British India until 1911. The city is a major cultural and intellectual hub, renowned for its colonial architecture, vibrant arts scene, and as the birthplace of Bengali Renaissance figures like Rabindranath Tagore. Today, it remains famous for its literary heritage, grand Durga Puja festival, and iconic landmarks such as the Howrah Bridge and Victoria Memorial.

Pakistan

Pakistan is a South Asian nation established as an independent homeland for Muslims in 1947 following the partition of British India. It is a country with a rich and ancient history, home to the Indus Valley Civilization—one of the world’s earliest major societies—and a land that has been influenced by various empires, including the Persians, Greeks, and Mughals. Today, it is known for its diverse landscapes, from the Himalayan peaks in the north to the Arabian Sea coastline, and its vibrant cultural heritage.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a South Asian country formed in 1971 after a war of independence from Pakistan. Its history is deeply rooted in the Bengal region, with a rich cultural heritage spanning ancient kingdoms, the Mughal Empire, and British colonial rule. The country is renowned for its vibrant traditions, the world’s largest river delta, and the lush Sundarbans mangrove forest.

Nadia district

The Nadia district in West Bengal, India, is a historically significant region, most famous as the birthplace of the Vaishnava saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the 16th century. It was also the site of the Battle of Plassey in 1757, a pivotal conflict that established British political control over India. Today, it remains an important cultural and religious center, particularly around the town of Nabadwip.

Chakdaha

Chakdaha is a town in the Nadia district of West Bengal, India, historically significant as part of the larger cultural region of Bengal. Its development was heavily influenced by its location along riverbanks and its role in the indigo trade during the British colonial period. Today, it is primarily an agricultural and residential area.

Hawala business

“Hawala” is not a physical place or cultural site, but an informal value transfer system based on trust and operating through a global network of money brokers. Originating in South Asia and the Middle East centuries ago, it enables funds to be transferred across borders without money physically moving, using a system of reciprocal settlements. While culturally significant for facilitating remittances and trade, it exists outside of, or parallel to, traditional banking channels.