KOLKATA: The West Bengal police has busted a fake voter identity card racket in Bongaon, a city near Kolkata. Authorities raided a building located only four and a half kilometers from the Bangladesh border, after receiving a tip-off about the Voter ID racket. Police said main accused in the racket used sophisticated equipment to replicate the logo of the Election Commission and other government offices to produce fake Voter ID cards, Aadhaar cards, driving license and passports.
Arup Biswas, one of the main accused was arrested with a large number of fake identity cards, documents and equipment. Police officials also seized a computer, printer, few ATM cards, and a fake Bongaon Municipality Trade license from his possession. It was revealed during the interrogation that the racket was operating from Biswas' house for over a year. He would attract new clients using middlemen and misleading advertisements. His business allegedly attracted several officials who wanted fake identity cards too. They then allegedly placed orders for a tranche of fake Voter ID cards for a huge amount.
The men would replace photos in scanned copies of documents, change th names and put fake photos on them. They would then use sophisticated machinery to carefully place the original government seal before laminating them. Sources said police are trying to identify the officials who ordered the fake Ids and the purpose behind it. The case is vital as the scam unraveled just near the International Border.
Officials suspect involvement of some unscrupulous people in the district collectorate. Intelligence inputs, in the past, have highlighted that the fake identity cards were procured by Bangladeshi immigrants at a premium. Possibilities of terror suspects are not ruled out.
