Mangaluru: In a serious case with potential national security implications, Vitla police have uncovered an alleged racket in which a suspected Bangladeshi illegal immigrant obtained an Indian passport using forged documents and a manipulated police verification report, with the alleged assistance of a serving police constable.
Suspect lived in the area for eight years
The accused, identified as Shakti Das, had been residing within the limits of the Vitla police station for the past eight years. According to investigators, Das possessed documents claiming that he was a resident of West Bengal, which he used to establish his identity and address in India.
Police sources said Das first applied for an Indian passport in February 2025. However, his application was rejected after discrepancies were found between the address mentioned in the application and official government records. These inconsistencies raised red flags during the verification process, leading to the rejection.
Despite this setback, Das submitted a fresh passport application in June 2025, which later came under scrutiny during a detailed investigation by Vitla police.
Police constable’s alleged role in forgery
Investigations revealed that Pradeep, a police constable attached to the Vitla police station, allegedly played a crucial role in facilitating the fraudulent passport application. According to police findings, Pradeep is accused of fabricating a police verification report in the name of Shakti Das.
The constable allegedly forged the signature of the designated beat officer, Sabu Mirji, on the verification report and forwarded the file as part of the passport verification process. Police believe that this forged clearance helped Das overcome the earlier objections and proceed with his second passport application.
The role of a police official in allegedly enabling such a breach has raised serious concerns within the department, prompting a deeper probe into internal procedures and possible lapses.
Attempt to destroy evidence
As the investigation progressed, police also found that Pradeep allegedly attempted to destroy official records linked to the verification process. Investigators suspect this was done to prevent detection once doubts began to emerge about the authenticity of the documents and the verification report.
Sources said the destruction of records further strengthened the case against the constable, pointing to a deliberate attempt to conceal the alleged forgery rather than an administrative error.
Arrests and departmental action
Based on the evidence collected so far, Vitla police arrested constable Pradeep and produced him before a court. The court subsequently remanded him to judicial custody. In addition to the criminal case, Pradeep has been placed under suspension pending a departmental inquiry, sources confirmed.
Shakti Das has also been arrested in connection with the case. However, police officials said they are yet to conclusively confirm his Bangladeshi origin. Verification is ongoing through multiple agencies to determine whether he is indeed an illegal immigrant or an Indian national using forged or misleading documents.
Verification of documents underway
Police are currently probing the authenticity of the documents produced by Das, including identity proofs and address records claiming his West Bengal residency. Officials said they are coordinating with authorities in West Bengal and central agencies to verify the legitimacy of these documents.
Investigators are also examining whether any other individuals were involved in facilitating the alleged forgery, and whether similar methods were used in other cases. The focus remains on identifying gaps in the verification system that may have been exploited.
Broader security concerns
The case has triggered wider concerns about passport verification mechanisms and the potential misuse of police clearances. Officials noted that if allegations are proven, the incident would represent a significant breach of trust and pose serious national security risks.
Senior police officers indicated that stricter scrutiny of police verification reports and internal audits may be initiated to prevent recurrence of such incidents. The investigation is expected to continue over the coming weeks, with more details likely to emerge as document verification and background checks are completed.
Conclusion
The arrest of a serving police constable and a passport applicant in this case has highlighted vulnerabilities in identity verification processes. As police continue to investigate the alleged forgery and the suspect’s nationality, the case is expected to have far-reaching implications for internal policing protocols and passport verification procedures.