Immigration – Bangladeshi Woman Booked for Alleged Identity Fraud in Hapur
Immigration – A Bangladeshi woman has been booked in Uttar Pradesh’s Hapur district for allegedly securing Indian identity documents under a false name and marrying a local resident after overstaying her visa, police said on Thursday. Authorities have launched a search operation to trace her and her husband as the investigation continues.
Allegations of Forged Identity in Hapur
According to officials, the woman, identified as Mahmuda Begum, arrived in India on February 3, 2021, on a three-month visa. Investigators claim that after entering the country, she remained beyond the permitted period and later assumed a different identity. Police allege she obtained Indian documents under the name Begum Rani while residing in Hapur.
An FIR has been registered against both Mahmuda Begum and her husband, Mohammad Mashruf, a resident of the district. Officials stated that the case includes charges related to illegal stay and the alleged use of forged documents to establish a new identity.
During a search linked to the case, law enforcement authorities recovered several items, including passports, visas, Bangladeshi currency, and two SIM cards. These materials have been seized as part of the ongoing probe. Police officials confirmed that efforts are underway to locate the couple, who are currently untraceable.
Police Statement and Ongoing Probe
Uttar Pradesh Police said the woman had been living in Hapur without valid authorization after her visa expired. Investigators are examining how the alleged documents were obtained and whether any local assistance was involved in facilitating the process.
Officials have not yet disclosed additional details regarding the charges or the possible legal provisions invoked. Further information is expected as the inquiry progresses.
Separate Operation in Mumbai
In a separate development, Mumbai Police’s Versova unit detained 25 Bangladeshi nationals earlier this week during a routine patrol operation. Among those taken into custody were 21 transgender individuals. The action was carried out near Shakulshaha Dargah in the Versova area after officers reportedly grew suspicious during regular monitoring.
According to senior officer Deepshikha Ware, preliminary questioning and electronic verification suggested that the detainees were Bangladeshi nationals. Authorities indicated that investigations are ongoing and additional arrests may follow if further links are established.
Police sources said many of those detained had been living in India for several years, with reported stays ranging from six to eight years. Apart from Mumbai, some individuals were believed to have resided in other states, including Gujarat and Delhi.
Entry Routes and Broader Concerns
Officials stated that, based on initial findings, some individuals allegedly entered India through routes connected to Kolkata and Mizoram. Law enforcement agencies are now examining travel patterns and local networks that may have supported their stay.
While addressing the circumstances of the transgender detainees, officers noted that members of the transgender community in Bangladesh often face social and security challenges. Police added that some individuals may have sought to relocate in search of safer living conditions. However, authorities emphasized that immigration and documentation laws remain applicable regardless of personal circumstances.
The recent operation is being described by Mumbai Police as one of the most extensive actions this year involving suspected illegal Bangladeshi residents in the city. Officials maintained that verification drives and routine patrols will continue as part of broader efforts to monitor compliance with immigration regulations.
Further updates are awaited in both the Hapur and Mumbai cases as investigations remain ongoing.