Siliguri, 05th October: A fake Aadhaar centre allegedly being operated from a house in the Shishabari area under Matigara Police Station was busted in a joint operation by Sukna Army Intelligence and plainclothes police from Matigara Police Station.
During the operation, police arrested two Bangladeshi nationals, identified as Sushil Roy (45) and Litu Mahanto (45), who had allegedly entered India illegally and had arrived at the centre to get Aadhaar cards prepared. Police also arrested Pabitra Rani Roy, wife of Ripon Roy, who was allegedly running the fake Aadhaar centre. Ripon Roy reportedly fled from the spot and is currently absconding.
According to information received, Ripon Roy, a resident of Shishabari, was allegedly running the fake Aadhaar centre from his residence and preparing Aadhaar cards for Bangladeshi nationals in exchange for money. Sukna Army Intelligence reportedly received information about the activities and had been keeping a watch on Ripon Roy.
On Monday, the intelligence team learned that two Bangladeshi nationals had arrived at Ripon Roy’s residence to get Aadhaar cards prepared. Following this, Sukna Army Intelligence and plainclothes personnel from Matigara Police Station conducted a raid at the house.
During preliminary questioning, police learned that Sushil Roy and Litu Mahanto had allegedly entered India around two and a half years ago and had since been living with their families in a rented house in the Shishabari area.
The two allegedly came to know that Ripon Roy prepared Aadhaar cards illegally in exchange for money. Police said they had contacted him and were allegedly asked to pay ₹10,000 for preparing an Aadhaar card. They subsequently arrived at his residence with the money.
Police said Ripon Roy fled after getting wind of the operation, while his wife Pabitra Rani Roy was arrested from the spot.
During a search of the premises, police recovered eight Aadhaar cards allegedly prepared fraudulently, caste certificates, Aadhaar application forms and other electronic devices from the fake centre.
Police are expected to produce the two Bangladeshi nationals and Pavitra Rani Roy before the Siliguri court on Tuesday and seek their remand for further questioning. The search for Ripon Roy is underway.
