Illegal immigrants ave intention to settle in the country and procure authentic Indian documents

In a startling breakthrough by the Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), investigations into fake currency rackets in India have unearthed yet another serious security threat to the country.

Investigations reveal that large numbers of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants have been entering India through porous borders, with the intention to stay on in the country.



The ATS had arrested two such immigrants earlier and discovered that one had procured a voter ID card in Ahmedabad and the other was in possession of a PAN card, which he had applied for in Panvel.

Authorities say this is raising a number of concerns as illegal immigrants smuggling fake currency and possessing authentic Indian documents is a serious threat, and this also makes it difficult to trace them.

The ATS arrested Bangladeshi citizens Samihul Sheikh (19), Mohammad Laltu Mulla (28), and Mohammad Lablu Mulla (35), and based on information gathered during questioning, they arrested Mehboob Alam Sheikh (28) yesterday and recovered fake currency in 500 and 1,000 denomination notes totalling over Rs 10 lakh.

ATS chief Rakesh Maria said, "Lablu got himself a voter ID in the name of Pathan Rashid Khan from Ahmedabad, while his brother Laltu got a PAN card in the name of Suzam Sheikh from Panvel."

The currency comes in from Bangladesh and after being taken to West Bengal, is taken to Gujarat and Mumbai for circulation.
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"The currency is circulated through carpenters and labour workers entering the country illegally and the carriers get Rs 45 for every Rs 100 they circulate in the market," added Maria.

According to an officer, illegal Bangladeshi immigrants have just started settling in India and are making PAN cards and voter ID cards.

The two Bangladeshis arrested had on at least on five earlier occasions, brought fake currency into India for circulation in the market.

The accused said that this was the third consignment in the past few months, and added that their Bangladeshi handlers Khalid Mujumder and Jamal Mallik provide the consignments.
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The names of these handlers have surfaced on several occasions in the past as well.