The arrest of a Bangladeshi immigrant who attempted robbery and stabbed Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan at his residence in Mumbai has once again brought the issue of unauthorised entry of these people in India to the forefront.
Crime branch sources told The Times of India that Bangladeshis entering the country illegally typically do this through regions like Malda, 24 Parganas, Murshidabad in West Bengal.
These people reportedly obtain fake Aadhaar cards (one of the key Indian national identity cards) with the help of agents by paying between INR 2,000 (USD 23.11) and INR 10,000 (USD 115.56).
These agents help them get jobs and even settle in any part of India.
Police said this network of agents is vast and operating in various corners of the country.
“There is a vast network operating in India that helps these illegal immigrants settle here,” an officer told the Indian newspaper.
These people, once caught and deported, reportedly re-enter the nation with new identities.
They secure jobs like fish selling, work as housemaids and even enter flesh trade to prolong their stay in the country.
Last year, at least 310 Bangladeshi nationals staying illegally were arrested by the police from Indian cities. Some of the arrested individuals had also cast votes in the country’s elections for years, reported The Times of India.
What do we know about Saif Ali Khan’s attacker?
The man arrested for allegedly stabbing actor Saif Ali Khan at his Bandra home is a Bangladeshi national who entered India illegally and had been living in Mumbai for the past few months, Mumbai Police said Sunday.
Speaking to the media this morning, Deputy Commissioner of Police Dixit Gedam said they have arrested the accused in connection with the burglary attempt at the actor’s Bandra home in the wee hours of Thursday as well as stabbing him.
The accused has been identified as Mohammad Sariful Islam Shehzad.
“The investigation has revealed that this accused could be from Bangladesh. He does not have any Indian documents. We suspect he is from Bangladesh, we are investigating and have added Passport Act charges to the case against him,” the senior officer said.
The cops said the man entered Saif’s house with the motive of burglary.
“We have recovered some items from him that suggest he is from Bangladesh. He came to India illegally and changed his name to Vijay Das. He has been living in Mumbai for about four months and was working at a housekeeping agency,” the senior officer said.
According to police, the accused is unmarried and worked as a waiter at a restaurant until a few months back.
He was currently unemployed and police suspect he attempted the burglary for a big haul. He has admitted to have attacked Saif.
The accused was picked up from Thane.
Saif Ali Khan was stabbed repeatedly while he tried to protect his children during an encounter with the intruder who attempted a burglary bid at his Bandra home in the wee hours of Thursday.
The 54-year-old actor sustained severe injuries, including wounds to his neck and near his spine, during the attack.
