A Bangladeshi monk named Joysen Barua found himself behind bars in Nagpur last Wednesday. Police arrested him five months after he surrendered a fake passport and then disappeared. The arrest reveals a troubling case of document fraud.
Valid Indian Credentials in Foreign Hands
Authorities discovered that Barua possessed a valid Indian voter ID card. He also had a permanent account number (PAN), an Aadhaar card, and ration cards. All these documents were issued in India, despite his foreign citizenship.
Investigations show the election card was made in Nagpur. The PAN card, which remains active in income tax records, was issued for an address in the same city. On his PAN application, Barua declared himself an Indian citizen.
Arrest and Legal Charges
Gittikhadan police inspector Prashant Pande led the arrest operation a week ago. Following his capture, officials sent Barua to Nagpur central prison. He faces charges of forgery and violations under the Passports Act.
In India, the monk used the name Joysen Choudhary on his papers. His original name is Joysen Barua.
Background as a Buddhist Refugee
Barua hails from Chittagong in Bangladesh. He is a Buddhist refugee who fled to India. Under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), he qualified for Indian citizenship due to religious persecution in his home country.
However, his application for citizenship under CAA failed. The case could not proceed because Barua lacked proper documents from Bangladesh. These documents are essential for processing CAA applications.
Surrendering the Fake Passport
In August this year, Barua suddenly appeared at the regional passport office in Nagpur. He surrendered his passport, confessing it was fake. After this act, he fled and remained on the run until his arrest.
Sources indicate the monk could have easily continued living as Joysen Chaudhary in India. He might have avoided detection if he had not surrendered the passport or applied for citizenship under CAA.
Motivations and Political Context
Barua told TOI during his CAA application that he preferred to live in India. He cited threats to minorities in Bangladesh as his reason for seeking refuge.
His arrest occurs at a significant political moment. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently vowed to weed out illegal Bangladeshis. He plans to use artificial intelligence, as mentioned in the BJP's manifesto for Mumbai polls.
Meanwhile, hundreds of Hindus and Buddhists in Bangladesh express keen interest in fleeing to India. They face mounting attacks on minorities in their home country.
Police Seizure and Implications
After arresting Barua, police seized documents issued by both Bangladesh and India. This case highlights how a foreign citizen can obtain valid Indian credentials without much hassle.
The incident raises serious questions about document verification processes in India. It underscores vulnerabilities that might be exploited by others seeking illegal status.
