Mumbai: ATS busts Bangladeshis voting with fake IDs in Lok Sabha elections 2024

Arrested individuals in police custody

The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has undertaken a significant operation, arresting four individuals for using fake passports and voter ID to vote in the Lok Sabha elections. The investigation revealed that these Bangladeshi nationals were residing in Gujarat and creating counterfeit passports. Some individuals even used these fake passports to secure jobs abroad. This development further highlights the misuse of counterfeit documents for illicit activities both domestically and internationally.

The investigation has identified the arrested individuals as follows: Riyaz Hussain Shaik: A 33-year-old electrician residing in Lokhandwala, Andheri (West). The investigation revealed that he is originally from Hridaynagar, Thane-Bashirhat, District Novakhali, Bangladesh, and he voted in one of the constituencies in Mumbai. The ATS is verifying how he procured the voter ID, who convinced him to vote, and in whose favour.

Sultan Siddique Shaik: A 54-year-old rickshaw driver residing in Ambujwadi, Azad Nagar, Malwani, Malad, Mumbai. He is originally from Sinodi, Post Chandehat, Tehsil Batoya, District Sadar Novakhali, Bangladesh. He also voted along with Riyaz.

"The accused already had illegal immigration cases against them and were out on bail. When we noticed voting marks on their fingers, they were questioned and arrested. We suspect that a few more Bangladeshi nationals have voted in a similar fashion," an officer of the ATS said. Ibrahim Shafiullah Shaikh: A 46-year-old vegetable seller residing in MHADA Colony, Mahul Village. The investigation revealed that his real address is Sahebar Hat, Kadirpur, Thana-Begumganj, District Novakhali in Bangladesh.

Farooq Usmangani Shaikh: A 39-year-old residing in Oshiwara, Jogeshwari (West). According to the investigation, he is originally from Kabir Hat, Moninagar, District Novakhali, Bangladesh. "They had obtained voter ID cards using counterfeit citizenship documents. These fake documents also allowed them to reside in Mumbai," the officer added further.

Additionally, five other Bangladeshi nationals have been identified in this case but are currently absconding. Efforts are ongoing to arrest them. Shockingly, it was discovered that after obtaining fake Indian documents from Surat, Gujarat, these illegal Bangladeshi immigrants settled in Mumbai. "One of the five absconding individuals has been found to have used counterfeit Indian documents to travel to Saudi Arabia," an officer privy to the investigation said.

In response to these findings, the ATS has registered a case under Sections 465 (forgery), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document), and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), as well as section 12 (1A) of the Indian Passport Act.