The Enforcement Directorate has cracked down on a major network involved in fake Indian identities, illegal documentation of foreign nationals and money laundering, taking action against Pakistani national Azad Malik, also known as Ahmed Hussain and Azad Hussain. Investigators said Malik lived in India for years using a fabricated identity, which he exploited to carry out serious financial and document-related crimes. The probe was initiated based on cases registered by West Bengal Police and has revealed a sophisticated operation involving forged papers, cross-border fund transfers and violations of foreign exchange regulations.
The ED found that Malik, with the help of associates, ran a network providing Indian identity documents to illegal Bangladeshi migrants for money. Key accomplice Indubhushan Halder, known as “Dalal”, was arrested on October 13, 2025, while Malik was taken into custody on April 15, 2025. Both are in judicial custody. The network used forged caste certificates, residence proofs and other fake records to obtain Aadhaar cards, voter IDs and Indian passports. Officials estimated around Rs. 50,000 was charged per passport application, with the syndicate processing nearly 300 to 400 applications.
Investigators uncovered major irregularities in passport applications, including identical tax documents without official authentication, impossible birth date discrepancies among siblings and conflicting nationality records. Malik also moved funds using hawala-style transfers and digital payments like UPI in India and bKash in Bangladesh. The ED detected violations of foreign exchange rules in gold trading and money changer operations, with some licensed entities illegally buying and selling currency, highlighting serious breaches of RBI norms.
Multiple search operations seized fake documents, digital devices and transaction records. The ED has already filed a prosecution complaint under Sections 44 and 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, with the court taking cognisance on June 19, 2025. Officials noted that the case exposes significant threats to national security, the integrity of India’s citizenship system and the financial sector. Further arrests and attachment of assets are expected as the investigation continues
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