State Bureau, Ranchi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is investigating various money laundering cases in Jharkhand, will now also probe the issue of Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltration in the state. The ED has registered a new case (ECIR) in this matter. This case is based on the FIR registered at Bariatu Police Station, Ranchi, under case number 188/2024 on June 4.
The entire matter pertains to the arrest of three suspected Bangladeshi women from Bali Resort on Hill View Road in the Bariatu police station area of Ranchi. The arrested women have been identified as Nimpy Birua, Samreen Akhtar, and Nipa Akhtar, all residents of Chittagong, Bangladesh. These women were brought to Kolkata with the help of another girl named Manisha Rai.
Police investigation revealed that on the midnight of May 31, these three women, along with three others – Parveen, Jhuma, and Hasi – illegally crossed the Bangladesh border into India by cutting through fencing in a forested area with the help of private agents. The police are still searching for the other three women. During the investigation, the three arrested women initially gave false names, identifying themselves as Payal Das, Anika Dutta, and Khushi. They also had forged Aadhaar cards in these names.
ED’s Basis for Investigation Under PMLA
Based on the police investigation, the ED found the case to be suitable for investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The investigation revealed that Bangladeshi nationals were being illegally infiltrated into India with the help of private agents, and fake documents were being provided to establish their Indian citizenship.
Several individuals are suspected to be involved in activities related to illegal infiltration and the creation of fake identification documents. These activities are defined as crimes involving proceeds of crime under Section 2 (1) (u) of the PMLA 2002, necessitating an investigation into illegal infiltration from Bangladesh and the agents who promote such activities, whose objective is to earn proceeds from crime and engage in other criminal activities. Therefore, a thorough and comprehensive investigation under the Money Laundering Act is required.
Central Government’s Information Submitted in Jharkhand High Court
The ED investigation was prompted when, during the hearing on Bangladeshi infiltration, the Central Government provided information in a sworn affidavit to the Jharkhand High Court. The affidavit stated that the Muslim population in the districts of Santhal, including Pakur, Sahebganj, Godda, and Dumka, is rapidly increasing while the number of tribal people is declining.
These districts border West Bengal, from where Bangladeshis are quickly entering Jharkhand. They come to Jharkhand in search of jobs and marry tribal women to gain control over their land and create fake identification documents to establish their citizenship. Additionally, they are seizing forest and government land as well.
