In a major operation, Premnagar police and security agencies have arrested three Bangladeshi women who had been living in the city for years using forged Indian identity documents. They are accused of fraud, forgery, obtaining fake passports, and travelling abroad illegally. Cases have been filed against them under charges of cheating, forgery, the Foreigners Act, and the Passport Act.
How the Racket Was Exposed
The matter came to light when officials received secret information about a woman named Munara Bi, who had been living in Maulanagar, Bareilly. Originally a resident of Jessore district, Khulna, Bangladesh, Munara had entered India illegally in 2011. She managed to secure fake identity documents and an Indian passport while living near Bilal Mosque. In 2012, she even obtained another passport under the name of her sister, Saira Bano, but with her own photograph. Using this forged passport, Munara travelled multiple times to Bangladesh, Dubai, and other Gulf nations.
When the passport expired, she went on to procure a fresh one from the Indian Embassy in Kuwait. Based on this intelligence, a case was lodged at Premnagar police station. Subsequent investigations revealed that her sisters, Saira and Tasleema, had also been staying in Bareillyâs Hafizganj area with fake documents, posing as Indian citizens.
The Three Sistersâ Story
Munara Bi is 65 years old and widowed. She had settled in India decades ago, blending into local society. Her sister Saira, 50, is also widowed and has three sons and two daughters. Her family makes a living by selling vegetables. The youngest, Tasleema (45), is married to a daily-wage labourer and has six sons and one daughter.
All three had married local men, which made their families appear completely Indian. Even their brother works at a brick kiln nearby. According to him, they had first crossed over into India via West Bengal before moving on to Bareilly.
Benefiting from Indian Welfare Schemes
Investigators have found that the women not only managed to get ration cards and other proof of residence but also availed themselves of government welfare schemes provided by the Uttar Pradesh and Central governments. Police sources revealed that more documents are being checked to trace the larger network behind the fraud. The shocking part remains that for so many years, no one doubted their identity while they enjoyed all the benefits meant for citizens.
Police Action and Ongoing Probe
Once police had credible information, SHO Pawan Kumar led a raid in Hafizganj Bazaar locality, arresting Saira and Tasleema from their home. Neighbours said they had no idea about the womanâs real identity. The investigation has now confirmed Munaraâs Bangladeshi roots, while her sistersâ documents have also been proven fake.
SP City Manush Parikh stated that initial inquiry confirms their foreign nationality and fake identity trail. Security agencies are now investigating who assisted them in acquiring forged documents and whether a larger racket is behind the case. Further arrests are likely. For now, the three sisters are in police custody, and detailed interrogation is underway.
