3 min readPuneJul 21, 2024 10:02 AM IST
First published on: Jul 20, 2024 at 07:34 PM IST
Pimpri Chinchwad police have launched a probe into an alleged racket of arranging bail for illegal Bangladeshi migrants by producing forged documents and fake sureties in court.
Rahul Baban Bansode (34)of Bhosari, lodged the FIR in this connection at Pimpri police station on Saturday. As per the FIR, without Bansode’s knowledge and consent, a copy of his Aadhaar card was submitted before the judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) in Pimpri court on April 30, 2024, as a ‘sthanik rahivasi’ (local resident) for the purpose of fulfilling the conditions of bail granted to illegal Bangladeshi nationals arrested from Nigdi.
Police have booked the lawyers appearing for the bail of these illegal Bangladeshi migrants, and the persons who submitted a copy of Bansode’s Aadhaar card to court, under sections 465 (forgery), 469, 471, 34 of the Indian Penal Code.
Earlier in January, Pimpri Chinchwad police had arrested five illegal Bangladeshi migrants who came to India via the international border in West Bengal and were found to be living in Sainath Nagar, Nigdi. At least three Indian passports were seized from their possession. They had plans to go abroad for work using Indian passports, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Shivaji Pawar.
Suyog Arun Lande (31) of the anti-terrorist cell of Pimpri Chinchwad police had lodged the FIR in this case in Nigdi police station under sections of Foreigners Act and Passport Act. But in April, the court granted bail to the five Bangladeshi accused.
Police sub inspector Ravindra Mudal of Pimpri police station said that while granting bail to the Bangladeshis on a personal bond of Rs 15,000, the court had asked them to submit details of their close relatives as surety.
Accordingly, a copy of Bansode’s Aadhaar card was submitted to the court to fulfil bail conditions.
“Bansode, however, said he had no links with the Bangladeshis and was not even aware that his Aadhaar card had been used for their bail. Bansode said he was not present in court for the bail of the accused.
Thereupon, on Saturday, he lodged an FIR against the lawyers and others who are suspected to have forged and submitted his Aadhaar card to mislead the court. “We are investigating if any accused persons impersonated Bansode in the court,” said sub-inspector Mudal.
Police sources said that a Bangladeshi national, who is suspected to have procured an Indian passport illegally and is currently living in a foreign country has played a role in this offence.
42 passports revoked
Meanwhile, during investigation into the case of Bangladeshis arrested from Nigdi, Pimpri Chinchwad police discovered that several passports had been procured illegally by Bangladeshi infiltrators. Details of 42 such Indian passports have been sent to the Regional Passport Office in Pune. Acting upon the information, the Passport office conducted a verification and revoked all 42 passports last month.
Police said the illegal Bangladeshi migrants had initially procured aadhaar cards, pan cards and used them further to get Indian passports with the help of agents in Pune and Goa.
Now, the police are investigating a suspected larger racket, in which the illegal Bangladeshi migrants who are arrested are provided legal help as well as bogus sureties and fake documents for their bail.
Earlier in January, Pimpri Chinchwad police had arrested five illegal Bangladeshi migrants who came to India via the international border in West Bengal and were found to be living in Sainath Nagar, Nigdi. (File Photo) 
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