Bangladeshi Model Arrested in Kolkata Over Fake Documents
Police Recover Multiple Aadhaar Cards, Probe Racket to Obtain Forged Indian Identity.
- A Bangladeshi model and airline crew member, Shanta Paul, was arrested in Kolkata for possessing and using fake Indian documents.
- Police recovered multiple forged documents from her possession, including two Aadhaar cards with different addresses.
- Shanta Paul allegedly entered India in 2023 and created a fake identity to facilitate international travel and other transactions.
GG News Bureau
Kolkata, 2nd Aug: Shanta Paul, a Bangladeshi model and crew member for Regent Airways, was arrested in Kolkata on Tuesday for allegedly residing in India with forged documents. The arrest, made by the Lalbazar Detective Department, led to the recovery of several fake Indian identity cards, including two Aadhaar cards with different addresses, a ration card, and a voter ID.
According to a police officer quoted by PTI, Paul, who won the Miss Asia Global title in 2019, entered India in 2023 from Barisal, Bangladesh, using a valid passport. She reportedly obtained the fake documents with the help of a local agent. Investigators believe her motive was to acquire an Indian passport to facilitate international travel, as she was unable to do so from Bangladesh. Police are also probing whether she used the forged documents to secure a loan and jointly purchase properties in Kolkata with her husband.
The police investigation revealed that Paul, 28, who has acted in Tamil, Bengali, and signed an Odia film, was living at a rented apartment with her husband, Shaik Mohammad Ashraf. She allegedly used her fake Aadhaar card to sign the rent agreement, telling the property owner her family disapproved of her marrying a Muslim man.
Authorities have contacted the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), the Election Commission, and the State Food Department to verify the authenticity of the seized documents. The police are also questioning Paul’s husband and other associates as they suspect a larger racket may be involved in forging identity documents. Paul remains in police custody until August 8.
