Bangladeshi Woman and Indian Husband Arrested in Haridwar for Alleged Document Forgery
In a significant crackdown on immigration fraud, authorities in Haridwar have arrested a 41-year-old Bangladeshi woman and her Indian husband for allegedly operating a lodge using forged identity documents. The arrests occurred on Thursday following a police raid based on intelligence inputs.
Details of the Alleged Immigration Violation
According to police officials, the accused woman, identified as Sleha Begum, originally entered India in 2023 with valid documentation. However, she failed to return to Bangladesh after the permitted 90-day period, thereby overstaying her visa illegally.
Investigations reveal that Begum had divorced her first husband in Bangladesh before connecting with Shyamdas, an Indian resident from Chhattisgarh, through social media platforms. Shyamdas allegedly encouraged her to travel to India, after which she decided to remain in the country indefinitely.
The Couple's Activities in India
After arriving in India, the couple initially resided in Delhi before relocating to Haridwar approximately one year ago. In Haridwar, Begum changed her name to Sweeti and, with Shyamdas's assistance, procured counterfeit documents including a fake marriage certificate.
The forged documents were allegedly used to establish and operate a lodge called Vaishnavi Enclave as their primary source of livelihood. Police recovered Begum's original Bangladeshi documents during the investigation, confirming her true identity.
Police Operation and Official Statement
Haridwar Senior Superintendent of Police Navneet Singh provided details of the operation to media outlets. "Based on specific inputs from our Local Intelligence Unit, the Jwalapur police conducted a targeted raid at Vaishnavi Enclave and successfully apprehended Sleha Begum," Singh stated.
The SSP further explained, "Our investigation has revealed that Shyamdas actively helped Begum prepare the fraudulent documents, including the marriage certificate. We have registered a formal case against both individuals, and comprehensive investigations are currently underway to uncover any additional violations."
Legal Proceedings and Broader Implications
The arrests highlight ongoing concerns about immigration compliance and document forgery in the region. Police have emphasized that the case serves as a warning against similar attempts to circumvent legal immigration channels.
Authorities are now examining:
- The complete timeline of Begum's stay in India beyond her legal permit
- The methods used to create the forged documents
- Potential connections to broader networks involved in document fraud
- The financial operations of the lodge during the period of illegal residence
The couple remains in custody as legal proceedings continue, with charges expected to include immigration violations, document forgery, and potentially other related offenses under Indian law.
