Police, govt officials under scrutiny in passport scam case
Times of India | 10 January 2025
Kolkata: Even as investigations by Kolkata Police into issuing of passports using fake IDs have begun to take into account the role of govt officials in the entire process, verification officers from several police stations under two divisions of Kolkata are now under suspicion. Investigators started questioning police personnel - especially from those posted at Panchasayar police station at that time - and responsible for passport verification at the police station level, following inquiries at the Security Control Organization of Kolkata Police and the passport offices.
Fake documents were used to issue passports using addresses from at least five police station areas in north and east Kolkata. According to police sources, this information came to light during the interrogation of the arrested individuals, Manoj and Samaresh. Former SI Abdul Hai verified 52 passports. Another 21 passports were sent to various police stations for verification, where manipulation was also discovered. Another 70 odd questionable passport applications were pending.
Investigators suspect that the heads of the racket established contact with policemen at the station level through Abdul Hai. Lalbazar is eager to find out if any amount of money was exchanged.
By interrogating the main accused, Manoj Gupta, with Abdul in custody, investigators aim to identify the police personnel at the police station level who were in contact with them.
Kolkata: Even as investigations by Kolkata Police into issuing of passports using fake IDs have begun to take into account the role of govt officials in the entire process, verification officers from several police stations under two divisions of Kolkata are now under suspicion. Investigators started questioning police personnel - especially from those posted at Panchasayar police station at that time - and responsible for passport verification at the police station level, following inquiries at the Security Control Organization of Kolkata Police and the passport offices.
Fake documents were used to issue passports using addresses from at least five police station areas in north and east Kolkata. According to police sources, this information came to light during the interrogation of the arrested individuals, Manoj and Samaresh. Former SI Abdul Hai verified 52 passports. Another 21 passports were sent to various police stations for verification, where manipulation was also discovered. Another 70 odd questionable passport applications were pending.
Investigators suspect that the heads of the racket established contact with policemen at the station level through Abdul Hai. Lalbazar is eager to find out if any amount of money was exchanged.
By interrogating the main accused, Manoj Gupta, with Abdul in custody, investigators aim to identify the police personnel at the police station level who were in contact with them.