Archive · 16 Sep 2026
STF Uncovers Fake Passport Racket Using Layered Identities
Police in Bhopal are investigating a group accused of helping people get fake passports.
Officials say some people first entered India from Bangladesh and stayed in Assam.
They allegedly collected identity papers there before moving to other parts of India.
In places such as Betul and Bhopal, they are accused of creating more identities and documents.
This helped them say they were originally from India during passport checks.
Investigators have found about 70 passports they believe were connected to the racket.
More than 40 reportedly used an address in Bhopal.
Police say many passports were issued during the COVID-19 period, when checks were less intensive.
They also said there is currently no evidence linking the case to terrorism.
The Bhopal STF arrested four people, including alleged mastermind Riyal Choudhary, in a fake passport investigation.
Investigators say Bangladeshi immigrants used Assam and other Indian locations to build alternate identities and obtain documents.
Around 70 allegedly fraudulent passports have been identified, with more than 40 linked to an address at Ashok Bauddh Vihar in Bhopal.
Officials said most passports were issued during the COVID-19 pandemic, when verification procedures were affected by restrictions.
Suspects had traveled to several countries, but investigators said they have found no evidence of a terror connection so far.
- Who
- The Madhya Pradesh Special Task Force, Riyal Choudhary and other suspects, and alleged Bangladeshi immigrants involved in the racket.
- What
- An investigation into an alleged fake passport racket that used layered identities and documents to pass verification.
- When
- The investigation is ongoing; officials said most of the identified passports were issued during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Where
- Bhopal and Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, with alleged movements through Assam, Betul and other Indian locations.
- Why
- Officials say the suspects used multiple identities and took advantage of pandemic-era verification restrictions to evade detection and obtain passports.
- Arrests
- Four people, including Riyal Choudhary, have been arrested.
- Passports identified
- About 70 fake passports have been linked to the racket.
- Bhopal address
- More than 40 passports reportedly used an address at Ashok Bauddh Vihar in Bhopal.
- Alleged route
- Officials say entrants crossed from Bangladesh, stayed in Assam, and later moved to Betul, Bhopal or other locations.
- Pandemic connection
- Most passports identified were reportedly issued during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Foreign travel
- Suspects had traveled to Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, China and other countries.
- Terror findings
- The STF said it has found no evidence of a terror connection so far.