Bangladeshi Model Arrested Over Fake Indian Documents
Kolkata — August 1: Police arrested Shanta Pal, a 28‑year‑old Bangladeshi model and vlogger, from a rented flat in Jadavpur’s Bikramgarh area. She faces charges of using fake Indian identity documents, including Aadhaar cards, voter ID, and ration card
Pal had worked as a crew member with a Bangladeshi airline, later dabbling in modelling, acting, and running a food vlog till late July The police seized several forged documents during the search
Dual Aadhaar Cards and Multiple IDs Raise Red Flags
Authorities discovered two Aadhaar cards, one linked to an address in East Burdwan and the other in Kolkata. Both addresses were reportedly false, with locals denying any knowledge of her
In addition, police recovered her Bangladeshi passport(s), airline ID, and education admit card from Dhaka A voter ID and ration card were also seized, all issued at different addresses
Probe into How She Obtained Fraudulent IDs
Police allege Pal may have coordinated with agents to secure these fake documents. Her social media posts are under scrutiny to track her network and usage patterns
Authorities contacted UIDAI, the Election Commission, and the Food Department to verify the legitimacy of the seized documents and trace their origin
Investigators also noted her shifting residences—from Park Street to Jadavpur—potentially to facilitate document acquisition and impersonation
Career Background and Legal Proceedings
Originally from Barishal, Bangladesh, Pal had won the Miss Asia Global Bangladesh title and also worked in regional films and digital content creation
Police registered a case under cheating and criminal conspiracy at Park Street Police Station after suspicious activity by Pal raised alarms in July 2025
She was remanded to custody until August 8, while her husband and parents, who lived with her in the Bikramgarh flat, are also under investigation
Police are also probing the extent of involvement of document-forging brokers and possible complicity by officials in the verification process
Implications for Document Security and Border Oversight
This case underscores vulnerabilities in India’s identity system, showing how fake Aadhaar and voter cards can facilitate illegal residency, business fraud, and cross-border mobility
Earlier raids by Kolkata Police exposed rackets behind forging identity documents for Bangladeshi nationals. This case adds to growing concerns over India-Bangladesh border security and document fraud rings