MP STF identifies 75 suspects in fake passport racket

The Madhya Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has identified 75 suspects in its investigation into a network allegedly involved in obtaining Indian passports for Bangladeshi nationals using forged documents. The suspects include Bangladeshi nationals and people accused of arranging fake documents, addresses and witnesses. Nineteen suspects are absconding, with a reward of Rs 20,000 each announced for information leading to their arrest.

According to STF DIG Rahul Lodha, the accused allegedly used addresses of monasteries in Bhopal, Betul, Chhindwara, Dabra and Pahurna for passport applications. Investigators have also found indications that some officials and employees may have helped process the passports. Their role is now being examined.

The probe found that Gayaprasad Gautam, Gulab Rai and Riyal Chaudhary alias Bhante Metanand were witnesses for 50 of around 70 suspected fake passports. Their mobile numbers were also found in most applications. The repeated use of monastery addresses has brought their alleged role under scrutiny. Gulab Rai reportedly met Riyal Chaudhary at a camp in Amla and later in Jhansi. In 2022, Rai attended a camp at Ambedkar Park in Dabra. Investigators said passports were subsequently obtained, citing travel abroad to promote Buddhism. The STF has information that Rai is in Jhansi.

The agency is searching for absconding suspects in Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Punjab.

Gautam, a resident of Chinor, had served as sarpanch in 1994. After adopting Buddhism in 2019, he began staying as a monk at Ambedkar Park in Dabra in 2021-22. The STF arrested him on September 23.

Bhopal accounts for the highest number of cases, with 40 linked to Anan Nagar, followed by 17 in Dabra, 11 in the Amla Buddhist monastery in Betul and two in Chhindwara-Pahurna.

Six accused have been arrested so far, including Riyal Chaudhary, Viplab Adhikari, Priyan Roy, Joy Chaudhary, Naseem Akhtar and Gautam.

The investigation has expanded to Bhopal, where the STF says the address of the Ashok Buddha Vihar monastery in Govindpura was allegedly used for more than 40 passports. Investigators are examining how police verification was completed for such a large number of applications there.