The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested six persons, including a Bangladeshi national, living illegally in India. The arrests have been made under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with a bank fraud of Rs 9,000 crore in Bangladesh.
The arrested Bangladeshi national, has been identified as Proshanta Kumar Halder, a man accused of defrauding banks of his own country. He is also accused of forging his identity as an Indian citizen to float businesses in India.
On Friday, the ED carried out searches across West Bengal. These searches, according to multiple news reports, were all linked to Bangladesh nationals accused of fraudulently obtaining various Indian identity documents like ration card, voter ID card, PAN card and Aadhaar card.
The venues raided reportedly belonged to Proshanta Kumar Halder, Pritish Kumar Halder, Pranesh Kumar Halder and their associates, stated news reports.
Proshanta was allegedly posing as an Indian citizen named ‘Shibshankar Halder’. He reportedly managed to fraudulently obtain a Ration Card (from the State of West Bengal), Indian Voter ID card, PAN and Aadhar card, ED told the media.
Proshanta was arrested along with his five associates during these searches, reported FE. The Interpol had also issued a Red Corner Notice (RCN) against Proshanta based on a request from the Bangladesh government, added the news report.
According to ED, “These Bangladeshi have not just floated businesses in India on the basis of fake identities, but have also purchased properties in West Bengal,” reported FE.
The ED told the media, “The subject case is an offence of Cross Border Implication under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act as Proshanta Kumar Halder has been found to be accused in over 10000 crore Bangladesh Taka (Rs 9000 crore) bank fraud in Bangladesh and alleged to have siphoned off money outside Bangladesh to various countries. Besides his Bangladesh and Indian passport, he was also found in possession of a Grenada passport.”
