The Kolkata police have made another arrest in connection with the ongoing investigation into Bangladeshi model and actress Shanta Paul, who was recently arrested for allegedly possessing forged Indian identity documents.
The accused, identified as Soumik Dutta, 36, from Naihati in North 24 Parganas district, was arrested on Tuesday by the Anti-Rowdy Squad from his residence for his alleged role in helping Paul create the fake documents and was remanded to police custody till August 18 by the Bankshall Court.
Paul, 28, was arrested by the Lalbazar Detective Department after 13 Epic fake cards, five fake Aadhaar cards and a digital ration card was seized from her house after a raid. The police are investigating if the fake cards were being prepared by the accused and are proving to be a part of a larger conspiracy in this case. They are also checking if she used these forged documents to secure a bank loan.
According to sources, the police are looking into her financial transactions, particularly in light of her social media posts where she had mentioned plans to open an eatery.
Paul, who has nearly 41,000 followers on Facebook, is a model and actress. The investigation has also extended to her social media presence, where officials are examining her travel vlogs that allegedly contain advice to other Bangladeshi nationals on how to enter and reside in India using medical visas. The police are investigating whether Paul influenced or assisted others in similar fraudulent activities.
The investigation has also revealed that Paul used a rented Kolkata address to obtain a ration card, which was then used to create the fake Aadhaar cards. One of the fraudulent Aadhaar cards listed an address in Purba Bardhaman district, while the other had a Kolkata address.
According to sources, investigators suspect that creating a false Indian identity was part of a broader plan to facilitate international travel, as she was reportedly unable to travel to certain countries from Bangladesh.
Details have also emerged about Paul’s travel history, including a visit to Nathula Pass near the China border in Sikkim. The police are also checking her social media page, ‘Asan Travels Kolkata and Bangladesh’, to determine the scope of her alleged travel business.
Paul is still in police custody as officials verify the seized documents and uncover the full extent of her alleged crimes.
Along with Dutta, another one Sk. Momtajuddin (38) of Memari Dist. Purba Burdwan was arrested on August 5 evening around 4:40 pm from his residence. He allegedly prepared EPIC and aadhar cards of Shanta Paul, Bangladeshi Citizen.