Kannur Arrests Reveal Cross-State Forgery Network Facilitating Illegal Migration from Bangladesh

The recent arrest of five Bangladeshi nationals in Kannur, Kerala, has exposed a sophisticated human trafficking and forgery syndicate operating across multiple Indian states. On September 17, 2026, the Kannur Town Police apprehended five women who were employed at a spa near the railway station without valid passports or visas. The operation was carried out following intelligence inputs provided by central agencies.

The Arrests and Individuals Involved

The police arrested a total of five women over a two-day period. The individuals identified include Saleena Akhtar (29), Nasma Akhtar (40), Taslima (25), Moina (29), and Nasrin (28). According to reports, these women were residing in quarters in Thana and working at a local spa massage center [1].

The arrested women hail from various regions in Bangladesh, including Jamalpur, Khulna, and Faridpur [3]. City Police Commissioner B.V. Vijay Bharat Reddy has stated that the women will be deported to Bangladesh once their remand period concludes.

Modus Operandi: The Forgery Syndicate

Investigation into the arrests has revealed a calculated route used to smuggle individuals into Kerala. The trafficking network typically follows this path:

• Entry: Individuals cross the border from Bangladesh into West Bengal.
• Documentation: In Guwahati, agents arrange fake Aadhaar cards and mobile SIM cards to help the migrants blend into the local population.
• Transit: The migrants often reside temporarily in Assam, Mumbai, or Bengaluru before reaching their final destination in Kerala.
• Recruitment: Agents based in Mumbai primarily manage the recruitment, promising high salaries and substantial "tips" to attract women aged 20 to 50 [1].

The Cost of Illegal Identity

The scale of the forgery is highlighted by the financial transactions involved. Police reports indicate that each woman paid ₹1 lakh in Guwahati to obtain the fake Aadhaar cards used to evade detection [2]. Authorities noted that while the photos on these fake cards match the individuals, the addresses provided are typically inaccurate.

Broader Implications for Kerala

The Kannur police suspect that this is not an isolated incident and believe more Bangladeshi nationals may be illegally employed across various parts of the state. Consequently, police intend to expand their inspections. Regarding the employment of the women, the spa owner claimed to be unaware of their nationality at the time of hiring, a claim currently noted by the police [2].