Bangladeshi model arrested in Kolkata with fake Aadhar, other Indian documents

Based on specific input, the anti-rowdy squad of Kolkata Police arrested a Bangladeshi woman for illegally residing in India. The accused has been identified as Shanta Pal (28), a resident of Barisal in Bangladesh. She was arrested from her rented apartment in the Jadavpur area. An Aadhaar card, voter card and a ration card have also been recovered from her.

“Based on a specific complaint, we registered this case and during the course of the investigation we have arrested a woman who is a Bangladeshi citizen. She is in police custody now. Investigation is underway,” said Rupesh Kumar, Joint Commissioner (Crime) of Kolkata Police to India Today.

According to the police, during the prolonged search at her rented place, several Bangladeshi passports issued in her name, an employee card of Regent Airways (Bangladesh), an admit card of secondary education in Dhaka, two Aadhar cards registered in different addresses, an Indian voter/Epic card and Ration card, all of different addresses were found and seized.

According to police, the woman rented the house in late 2024 along with a man.

The woman was produced before a city court on Wednesday and has been sent to police custody till August 8.

During the interrogation, Shanta Paul could not give any satisfactory answer to the police, following which she was arrested. She couldn't produce any valid visa for her stay in India and is presently being questioned about how she managed to get hold of the Aadhaar, Voter and Ration cards. Out of the two Aadhaar cards recovered from her possession, one has a Kolkata address while the other has a Burdwan address.

Kolkata police are currently communicating with the UIDAI to enquire how an Aadhaar card was approved her. The detectives are also communicating with the National Election Commission and the Food Department of West Bengal to enquire about how she got the voter card and the ration card.

According to sources, the accused worked as an actress in Bangladesh. She also worked as an anchor on several TV channels and shows in Bangladesh and reportedly participated in multiple beauty contests there.

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