Bangladeshi National Living as Transgender 'Neha' Busted in Bhopal for Identity Fraud and Illegal Immigration
A Bangladeshi national, Abdul Kalam, was detained in Bhopal for living illegally in India for years under the false identity of a transgender woman named "Neha." He entered India at age 10, spent two decades in Mumbai, and later settled in Bhopal's Budhwara area, becoming a known figure in the local hijra (transgender) community. Kalam managed to obtain an Aadhaar card, ration card, and even an Indian passport using forged documents. Investigations revealed he had also traveled abroad using these fake credentials. His gender is now being verified medically to confirm whether the transgender identity was genuine or used as a disguise. Two local individuals who allegedly helped him secure fake documents are also under investigation. Authorities suspect this case may be part of a larger network of illegal immigration and identity fraud. He has been detained for 30 days under the Foreigners Act, and deportation proceedings have started, pending a full investigation into his background and connections. The case raises serious national security concerns and highlights possible loopholes in India’s documentation system.
NETB24
In a case that has shocked authorities and could unravel a larger racket of illegal immigration and identity fraud, Bhopal Police have detained a Bangladeshi national who had been living under a false transgender identity for nearly a decade.
The accused, identified as Abdul Kalam, had assumed the identity of “Neha,” a transgender person, and lived in Bhopal’s Budhwara area for the past eight years. Kalam allegedly entered India illegally as a child and spent nearly 20 years in Mumbai before relocating to Bhopal. During this time, he integrated himself into the local hijra community and acquired critical identification documents—such as Aadhaar, ration card, and even an Indian passport—through forged paperwork and help from local agents.
According to police, Kalam’s forged passport enabled him to travel abroad, including to Bangladesh, raising serious concerns about border security and document verification systems. He frequently changed residences within Budhwara and was widely recognized in the community as “Neha.” His gender is currently under medical verification to determine whether the transgender identity was genuine or merely a disguise to avoid detection.
Additional DCP Shalini Dixit confirmed, “He has been living here for 8–10 years. We acted on a specific tip-off and began the identification process. He also traveled back to Bangladesh, and we’re awaiting confirmations from concerned agencies.”
The investigation has widened after it was discovered that Kalam was previously active in Maharashtra’s transgender circles as well, hinting at the possibility of a broader, organized network. Two local youths who allegedly assisted him in obtaining fake documents have been detained for questioning. Police are also scanning his mobile call logs and chats for further leads.
Officials suspect that this may be just one case within a deeper, pan-India operation involving human trafficking, illegal immigration, and identity fraud. The case has sparked urgent reviews within law enforcement and immigration departments due to its potential national security implications.
Kalam has been booked under the Foreigners Act and detained for 30 days. Deportation proceedings are underway, but authorities are prioritizing the investigation into his past activities and connections across states and borders.
The case is now under joint scrutiny by Bhopal Police and central intelligence agencies as efforts intensify to expose the full scale of the operation—and determine whether more such cases have gone unnoticed in urban centers across the country.
By Sayani Mishra
