Archive · 31 Oct 2025
Nepali Woman Detained at Mumbai Airport with Indian Documents After 30 Years in India
A woman from Nepal, who has been living in India for about 30 years, was caught at the Mumbai airport.
She was using an Indian name and had Indian identification cards like a voter ID and Aadhaar card.
The authorities became suspicious when she couldn't answer questions clearly.
It turns out she is a Nepali citizen named Chanda Regmi but was using the name Shanti Arjunsing Thapa and had obtained Indian documents by lying.
She even used these fake documents to travel between India and Nepal and apparently voted in elections.
Now, the police are investigating how she got these documents and if others are involved in a similar scheme.
A Nepali citizen residing in Kalyan, India, for approximately 30 years was detained at Mumbai Airport.
The woman, identified as Chanda Regmi, was using the alias Shanti Arjunsing Thapa.
She was found in possession of fraudulent Indian documents, including a Voter ID, Aadhaar, and PAN card.
Authorities suspect she used these forged documents to travel and vote in Maharashtra elections.
An FIR has been registered against her for cheating and forgery, and police are investigating a larger racket.
- Who
- Chanda Regmi, a Nepali citizen living in Kalyan for about 30 years, detained under the alias Shanti Arjunsing Thapa.
- What
- Detained for possessing fraudulent Indian identity documents (Voter ID, Aadhaar, PAN) and allegedly voting in Maharashtra elections.
- When
- Detained on October 24th upon arrival from Kathmandu; has been living in India since 1996.
- Where
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai, India.
- Why
- Suspicions arose during immigration checks due to inconsistent answers and revealed she was a foreign national using forged Indian documents.
Alleged Actions of the Detainee
Implications and Concerns
Possession and Use of Documents
Alleged Actions of the Detainee
Chanda Regmi (alias Shanti Arjunsing Thapa) allegedly obtained and used Indian Voter ID, Aadhaar, and PAN cards fraudulently.
Implications and Concerns
The case raises serious concerns about the integrity of India's electoral rolls and government document verification systems, suggesting potential loopholes exploited by foreign nationals.
Travel and Voting
Alleged Actions of the Detainee
The detainee used her forged Indian voter ID to travel between India and Nepal multiple times and is accused of voting in Maharashtra elections.
Implications and Concerns
This incident highlights the ease with which fraudulent documents can be used for cross-border travel and participation in democratic processes, potentially undermining national security and electoral fairness.
Criminal Charges
Alleged Actions of the Detainee
An FIR is registered against the woman under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for cheating, forgery, and providing false information.
Implications and Concerns
Police are investigating to uncover any wider network or racket involved in facilitating such fraudulent document procurement and enrollment, indicating a systemic issue rather than an isolated incident.
- Detained Individual
- Chanda Regmi (alias Shanti Arjunsing Thapa)
- Nationality
- Nepali
- Residency in India
- Approximately 30 years in Kalyan, Thane District
- Documents Found
- Indian Voter ID, Aadhaar Card, PAN Card; Nepali Citizenship Certificate
- Allegation
- Fraudulent procurement of Indian identity documents and voting in Maharashtra elections
- Airport
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai
- Date of Arrival
- October 24