Meerut: A Pakistani national who had been living in Bulandshahr allegedly under a false identity using forged Indian documents for nearly four decades has been arrested by Uttar Pradesh police following a tip-off on Friday.
Arrest and Identification
The accused, identified as Basid Irshad (47), a resident of Karachi, was apprehended near the city's Numaish flyover, police said. SSP Dinesh Kumar Singh stated that they had received specific intelligence regarding a suspicious individual. "Our team laid a trap and intercepted the man. During the search and subsequent questioning, inconsistencies in his identity led to further investigation, revealing that he is a Pakistan national residing illegally in India," said Singh.
Recovery of Forged Documents
Police claimed to have recovered forged Indian documents from his possession, including an Aadhaar card and a driving licence, both issued under the fake name "Syed Wasit Ali", and a "Pakistani passport was also seized". Verification from concerned authorities confirmed that the Aadhaar and driving licence were fraudulently obtained. According to police, Irshad had applied for a long-term visa (LTV), which is currently under consideration at the government level. Despite this, he allegedly bypassed legal procedures and acquired fake IDs.
Admission of Fraud
Police said Irshad admitted that he not only changed his name but also manipulated familial details. He allegedly used the name of his mother's third husband, Laiq Ahmed, as his father to obtain fake Aadhaar, driving licence and passport. These documents were issued under fabricated credentials, allowing him to blend into local society, police claimed.
Background and Entry into India
Investigations further revealed that Irshad had originally entered India in 1981 as a child with his mother, Bilqis, and three sisters. In India, his mother remarried. However, her second husband passed away within two years of marriage. She remarried in Meerut, marking her third marriage. "While two of Irshad's sisters were LTVs, the accused and another sister, Uzma, currently living in Delhi, were denied visas due to pending criminal cases registered against them under the Foreigners Act. The cases were lodged at Kithor and Brahmpuri police stations in Meerut, effectively blocking their legal residency status," SSP Singh said.
Continued Illegal Residence
Despite this, Irshad continued to live in the country using forged documents. Police said he had been residing in Sushila Vihar under Kotwali Nagar police limits, along with his wife and three children, and worked as a taxi driver. Notably, in 2012, he was arrested in Meerut under section 14 of the Foreigners Act and served a jail term. Following his latest arrest, he has been remanded to judicial custody.
Further Investigation
"We are particularly focused on examining his mobile records and identifying local contacts who may have assisted him in procuring forged documents. The recovery of fake documents raises concerns about a potential larger conspiracy. We will thoroughly investigate all angles, including any possible links to external networks. A fresh case under BNS sections 318 (4) (cheating and dishonestly), 338 (forgery), 340 (2) (fraudulent use of forged documents or electronic records as genuine), among others, has been registered in Bulandshahr," the SSP added.
