In a case that has triggered serious concerns over illegal immigration and document fraud, Bhopal Police have detained a Bangladeshi national, Abdul Kalam, who allegedly lived in the city’s Budhwara area for nearly a decade under the false identity of “Neha,” a transgender person.
Kalam reportedly entered India illegally at the age of 10 and spent nearly 20 years in Mumbai before moving to Bhopal. There, he allegedly joined the local hijra community and assumed a new identity, acquiring critical documents—including an Aadhaar card, ration card, and an Indian passport—through forged papers arranged by local agents.
Police say Kalam not only lived under a false identity but also managed to travel abroad using the fake passport. Known locally only as “Neha,” he frequently changed residences to avoid scrutiny. A medical examination is underway to verify whether his transgender identity was a cover or had any biological basis.
Authorities suspect this may be part of a larger racket. Kalam was previously active in transgender circles in Maharashtra, raising questions about possible links to a broader immigration and document forgery network. Two local men who allegedly helped him obtain fake documents are currently under interrogation. Investigators are reviewing call records and chat data from Kalam’s phone for further leads.
Additional DCP Shalini Dixit confirmed that Kalam has been detained for 30 days under the Foreigners Act. “He had also travelled to Bangladesh during this time. We're awaiting inputs from relevant agencies,” she said.
While deportation proceedings have begun, police are working to map Kalam’s connections and movements. The case has raised major concerns about security gaps in identity verification and the possibility of other such infiltrations operating undetected across the country.