Darjeeling, Sept. 24 -- Investigation into the illegal stay of a 28-year-old Afghan national in Kalimpong led to the arrest of two persons, including a clerk of Mal Municipality and an alleged tout, for allegedly preparing fake documents to facilitate the Afghan national's stay in India.
Incidentally, the investigation began with the arrest of one Sayed Bilal Khan, son of Abdul Mohammad and a native of Patkika in Yusuf Khel, Kabul, Afghanistan. Acting on specific intelligence, Kalimpong Police had arrested Khan on September 18. He was residing as a tenant at Haat Bazar, near the Chest Clinic, under Kalimpong Police Station.
According to police, preliminary investigation indicated that Khan was allegedly staying in India without valid authorization and documents. He stayed in Siliguri initially and then moved to Kalimpong. He then procured a false Aadhar card, Pan card and birth certificate. During the course of the investigation, police came across this fake birth certificate. Sayed Bilal Khan had entered India illegally around three months ago.
"Following the lead, a Kalimpong Police team conducted a raid in the Malbazar Police Station area of Jalpaiguri district on Wednesday and arrested Prasanjit Dutta alias Babai, a clerk of Mal Municipality" stated Aparijita Rai, Superintendent of Police, Kalimpong. Dutta, during questioning, revealed that he had prepared the fake birth certificate with the alleged assistance of a tout from the Matelli area. Sources state that Prasanjit Datta in the past has been implicated in connection with preparing fake documents. He was sent to jail in the past in connection with such crimes. "Acting on the information, police conducted another raid in Matelli, also in Jalpaiguri and arrested Assam Khan, who has been identified as the alleged tout who facilitated the preparation of the fake birth certificate," added the Kalimpong SP.
The arrested Bilal Khan was also taken to Malbazar for the reconstruction of the crime. He reportedly fell ill and was admitted at Malbazar Superspeciality Hospital. However he was discharged a few hours later. Both Dutta and Khan were produced at the Kalimpong Court on Thursday. They have been remanded to police custody for three days.
Police said the investigation is continuing to ascertain the circumstances in which the fake documents were prepared and used, as well as the full extent of the alleged involvement of those arrested.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.