‘Well-organized syndicate aids Bengali infiltration in Jharkhand, West Bengal’: ED petition

Last updated:Nov 16, 2024 11:33 IST

In its production petition following the arrest of two Bangladeshi nationals of four people in connection with an infiltration case, the agency warned of threats to national security and the economy

The scale and discreet nature of their activities underline the sophistication of the syndicate and the urgent need for a thorough crackdown, the ED wrote in the petition. (PTI)

Highly sophisticated human trafficking syndicates, which also facilitate illegal migration from Bangladesh, are operating in West Bengal and some parts of Jharkhand including Ranchi, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said in its production petition after the arrest of two Bangladeshi nationals among four people in connection with an infiltration case.

According to the petition accessed by News18, the “proceeds of these crimes are being systematically used and laundered”, raising concerns about the inter-state and cross-border implications of the syndicate.

The directorate, which is investigating human trafficking and fraudulent passport making racket, this week raided at least 17 locations in Jharkhand and West Bengal and arrested four suspects – Rony Mondal, Sameer Chowdhury, Pintu Haldar and Pinki Basu Mukherjee.

In the petition, authorities argued that the suspects posed a threat to national security and the economy, citing fears that they would abscond or tamper with evidence and witnesses. The scale and discreet nature of their activities underline the sophistication of the syndicate and the urgent need for a thorough crackdown, the ED wrote in the petition.

What are the incriminating documents?

The ED, in its production statement before the court, elaborated on the incriminating documents seized during the searches.

“During the searches of the residential premises of suspect Rony Mondal, various incriminating materials, files and documents, including Passport No. K 12228139 and H 1728795 in the name of Rony Mondal, were canceled by Passport Seva Kendra, Calcutta, along with unauthorized weapons and weapons . Ammunition and cash worth Rs 5 lakhs were recovered, while gold jewelery was seized. Further, an SCN (show cause notice) issued by the Ministry of External Affairs was recovered from the said premises,” ED said.

“As per the letter from Regional Passport Office (Kolkata) bearing reference number R-612/FM5018/19/IW/2987, dated August 30, 2019, which was seized during the search, it was established that Rony Mondal is the Bangladeshi citizen as per immigration records and fraudulently obtained Indian citizenship on the basis of false documentation and made a false statement in support of the documents,” it added.

The ED further said that to substantiate this claim, the office of the Regional Registration Officer for Foreigners, Kolkata, had cited the Bangladeshi passports issued in respect of Rony Mondal’s parents. So, it is clear that Mondal is a Bangladeshi citizen who fraudulently obtained Indian citizenship on the basis of fake documentation and was involved in illegal activities by providing assistance to Bangladeshi infiltrators to enter Indian borders and also aiding them in carrying out illegal activities on Indian territory. the agency argued.

The directorate has also mentioned that several WhatsApp chats on the suspects’ phones pointed to an inter-state racket that facilitated the entry of Bangladeshi nationals into Indian territory.

Organized syndicate

ED said the suspects are part of an organized and well-oiled syndicate that operates discreetly in West Bengal and parts of Jharkhand, including Ranchi, and facilitates illegal infiltration of Bangladeshi nationals into India. This network engages in illegal activities, including human trafficking and prostitution, to generate proceeds from crime, the directorate said.

Investigators claimed they seized incriminating mobile chats and documents detailing monetary transactions, directly linking the suspect to these activities. The syndicate’s activities, including use of forged documents and exploitation of Bangladeshi nationals, constitute offenses under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. These activities highlight the organized nature of the racket, with far-reaching implications for national security and law enforcement. .

“The generation, acquisition and use of proceeds of crime from the above-mentioned activities are confirmed by the seizure of mobile phones containing several incriminating chats relating to monetary transactions in lieu of the above-mentioned illegal activities including prostitution by these girls. During the searches, documents were also recovered containing the details and lists of the payments made to replace the prostitution racket run by the above-mentioned syndicate through the involvement of the above-mentioned Bangladeshi nationals,” she added.

ED called the accused a “threat to national security and economy” and stated that this was a serious case involving illegal infiltration of Bangladeshi nationals into India and obtaining citizenship and settlement through the use of fake documents.