Kolkata, Nov 29 (UNI) Murshidabad Police arrested 13 individuals, including twelve Bangladesh nationals and one Indian national, during a raid in Char Gopalpur village under the Hurshi Gram Panchayat on Friday night.
The operation targeted a location where foreign nationals were allegedly being sheltered without valid documents.
Officers launched an operation in the area after receiving indications that foreign nationals were being sheltered in Char Gopalpur village without any legal documents.
Police identified the Indian national as 31-year-old Saber Ali, who allegedly provided accommodation to the 12 Bangladeshi citizens for an unspecified period. Investigators believe the group had been living discreetly in the village with Ali’s support, though the reason for their unlawful stay in West Bengal remains unclear.
Officers added that none of the Bangladeshi nationals possessed valid travel or identity documents that would allow them to reside in India. The arrested Bangladeshi nationals were identified as Md Awal (25), Abdul Khaleque (38), Suman Ali (30), Sukuddin (26), Khabir (19), Sahidul (35), Md Sabbir (22), Md Jiarul Houque (38), Majdar Ali (36), Md Khairul (27), Md Roni (23), and Ruhul Amin (34). During the raid, all of them were detained from the same locality, as per Police sources.
A case has been registered at the local police station under relevant sections for illegal entry and sheltering of undocumented foreign nationals. All 13 accused are to be produced before the ACJM, Lalbagh, on Saturday. Police are expected to seek 10 days’ custody for three of the arrested individuals, while the remaining may be placed under judicial custody as the investigation continues.
Senior officers said the investigation aims to determine how the Bangladeshi nationals entered India, how long they had been residing in the village, and whether the sheltering was part of a larger network.
The possibility of more individuals being involved has not been ruled out. “Further investigation is underway, and additional details are being verified,” an Officer said, adding adding that more arrests could follow if new evidence emerges.
