Cops unearth illegal immigration nexus

The Delhi Police unearthed an immigration nexus operating in the national capital, officials said on Thursday. They also arrested four persons, including two Bangladeshi nationals and two Indian facilitators, who had been living here.

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The accused have been identified as Bilal Hosen, his wife and two Indian accomplices - Aminur Ishlam and Ashish Mehra.

The police said the accused were found to be involved in facilitating the illegal entry of Bangladeshi nationals into India and preparation of fake Indian identity documents. They were instrumental in providing logistical and documentation support.

The police also seized a vehicle used for transporting immigrants as well as fake Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, Bangladeshi IDs and credit cards among other documents.

“This is a meticulously planned network operating across international borders. The arrested individuals not only facilitated illegal immigration, but also helped in creating fake Indian documents for these immigrants,” said Joint Commissioner of Police (Southern Range) Sanjay Kumar Jain.

During interrogation, the accused revealed a well-established travel route used by illegal immigrants to enter India.

“The route begins in Durgapur district, Bangladesh. Immigrants enter India on foot through the porous jungle areas of Baghmara in Meghalaya. From there, they are transported by bus to railway stations in Krishnai and New Bongaigaon, Assam, before boarding trains to Delhi via Kolkata,” said Sanjay Kumar.

According to the police, the nexus relied on local facilitators on both sides of the border. Anish Sheikh, based in Bangladesh, coordinated the crossings, while Aminur managed the Indian leg of the journey.

They said Anish’s wife used to handle illegal immigrants once they reach Delhi and helped them in renting rooms and other facilitation.

Bilal Hosen (28) and his wife (23) both from Kalmakanda Netrakona, Bangladesh, revealed that they entered India seeking better wages. After crossing the border on foot in December 2022, they were assisted by Anish Sheikh and Aminur Ishlam to reach Delhi. They eventually settled in Gurugram, Haryana, where they ran a cosmetics shop and a beauty parlour.

“Aminur used his local knowledge and connections to arrange transportation and provide logistical support, including SIM cards and forged IDs,” an official said.

Another key figure, Ashish Mehra, was found to have created fake Aadhaar cards for immigrants using forged documents. “Mehra’s associate, an authorised Aadhaar operator at a bank in Gurugram, was instrumental in this forgery,” the police stated.

The operation builds on earlier arrests made on December 6, 2024, when the police apprehended 12 individuals, including five Bangladeshi nationals, in connection with illegal immigration activities. This investigation led to the identification of a broader network through call data analysis.

“On December 28, seven more Bangladeshi nationals were apprehended and deported from the Arjangarh Metro station. The arrests that followed unraveled the nexus operating from the Bangladesh border to Delhi,” said the officer.

The police have recovered six Aadhaar cards, five PAN cards in the names of Bangladeshi nationals, two Bangladeshi IDs, one voter ID card, an Indian passport application, 11 credit cards, seven debit cards, six cheque books and two bank passbooks.