close_game
close_game

Retired Kolkata cop arrested for involvement in fake passport racket in West Bengal

Jan 04, 2025 05:34 PM IST

Preliminary investigations revealed that Hai verified more than 50 passports, which were later found to be fake

Kolkata: A 61-year-old retired policeman was arrested from his residence in North 24 Parganas on Friday night in connection with the recent fake passport racket under investigation by Kolkata Police.

A 61-year-old retired policeman was arrested from his residence in North 24 Parganas on Friday night (Representative photo)
A 61-year-old retired policeman was arrested from his residence in North 24 Parganas on Friday night (Representative photo)

A senior police officer said that the accused, Abdul Hai, a former sub-inspector of Kolkata Police, was previously assigned as an enquiry officer for passport verification.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that Hai verified more than 50 passports, which were later found to be fake. The court has remanded him to police custody until January 18. Further investigation is ongoing,” he said.

The officer added that nine people have been arrested so far, and Hai’s name surfaced during the interrogation of some of them.

During interrogation, some of the accused claimed that Hai allegedly accepted at least 25,000 for verifying fake passports.

“We have identified some suspicious bank transactions. Several digital evidences have been seized and will be sent for forensic analysis,” the officer added.

Hai’s family, however, denied the allegations. “My uncle retired recently and was posted at the Kolkata Police headquarters for several years. We know him to be an honest man,” said Hai’s nephew.

Also read: Strengthen passport verification to counter rising rackets: WB Police to MEA

Police said that investigations are ongoing to determine whether other policemen were involved in the racket.

Meanwhile, the state police have written to the ministry of external affairs (MEA), requesting measures to strengthen the passport verification and delivery system. Investigations revealed that over 70 fake Indian passports were issued using forged documents and sold for 2 lakh to 5 lakh, mostly to Bangladeshi nationals, who used these forged passports to travel to other countries.

rec-icon Recommended Topics
Share this article
Get Current Updates on India News, Weather Today, Latest News, Delhi Election 2025 and Delhi Exit Poll 2025 Live at Hindustan Times.
See More
Get Current Updates on India News, Weather Today, Latest News, Delhi Election 2025 and Delhi Exit Poll 2025 Live at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Saturday, February 08, 2025
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On