Sources said the police department had sought information from various municipalities and panchayats regarding the addresses provided in the documents, but they were informed that the addresses did not exist.

Among the local bodies, the police had sought information from Barasat Municipality, Bangaon Municipality, and Kadambagachi Gram Panchayat in Duttapukur, but all denied issuing any documents to attest the addresses.

It has also been learnt that fake West Bengal board mark sheets, admit cards, PAN cards, Aadhaar cards, and voter cards were used to get the passports in question.

Manoj Verma, Police Commissioner, Kolkata, told media persons Saturday, “We have had a detailed discussion with passport department officers regarding the guidelines given by the Ministry of External Affairs. We have had discussions regarding the lapses and what the police have to do. We have given a detailed briefing to our officers at police stations.”

Till now, six people have been arrested in the passport case. The Kolkata Police special investigation team and the Detective Department arrested one Moktar Alam from his home at Chhoto Jagulia in the Duttapukur police station area in the North 24 Parganas on Wednesday. Alam was arrested in a similar case by the Chinsurah police in 2021.

Last week, the Kolkata Police arrested five people for allegedly running the passport racket and selling forged documents for Rs 2 to 5 lakh each.