In a development that raises serious concerns about systemic lapses and political complicity, Bangladeshi model and actress was arrested by Kolkata Police for illegally residing in India while possessing multiple genuine Indian identity documents fraudulently issued through official channels.
The 28-year-old, identified as Shanta Paul, originally from Barisal, Bangladesh, was picked up by the Anti-Rowdy Squad from a rented apartment in Bijoygarh, Jadavpur, South Kolkata, where she had been staying since 2023 with a male companion. Her arrest came following a specific intelligence tip-off.
A prominent figure in the Bangladeshi glamour industry, Shanta had previously participated in the Miss Asia Global contest held in Kerala in 2019. However, her alleged links to a deeper network came to light when the police recovered multiple Indian identity documents from her possession, including two Aadhaar cards — one with a Kolkata address and another from Burdwan, a valid Indian voter ID (EPIC) and a ration card under West Bengal’s public distribution system.
She failed to produce any Indian visa or valid travel documents, and her explanations for possessing Indian identification lacked credibility, according to officials.
Significantly, the documents seized were not forged in the conventional sense. Investigators believe they were genuinely issued through India’s own administrative systems, exposing what appears to be an institutional loophole — or a deliberate nexus — facilitating illegal immigration.
Kolkata Police have written to the UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India), the National Election Commission, and the state’s Food Department to ascertain how a foreign national managed to obtain Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards without detection.
Sources within law enforcement suggest this case may be the tip of the iceberg. For years, security agencies have flagged an entrenched ecosystem of document fraud and infiltration across border districts such as Malda, North 24 Parganas, and Murshidabad.
But Shanta Paul’s case stands out due to her public profile and the authenticity of the documents recovered.
“This is not just about one individual slipping through the cracks. It points to a systematic effort, likely backed by politically connected middlemen and compromised bureaucrats,” police stated.
The implications go beyond illegal residency. Given her high-profile background, frequent cross-border movement, and access to platforms like beauty contests and airline IDs, police are probing whether Shanta Paul was linked to larger networks — including human trafficking, espionage, or transnational crime.
“You don’t just get Aadhaar and EPIC by accident. Someone powerful and organised has to be behind this,” said a senior retired intelligence officer. Shanta Paul has been remanded to police custody until August 8.
Observers say the incident also revives longstanding allegations against West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government. Successive administrations in the state — including the Marxist regime before TMC — have been accused of enabling the naturalisation of Bangladeshi nationals for electoral gain.
According to political analysts, the pattern is consistent— facilitate illegal settlement, provide government documents via compromised officials, enroll them in voter lists, and consolidate them as a dependable vote bank under the guise of welfare and minority rights.
Shanta Paul has been remanded to police custody until August 8. Investigations are ongoing into the potential wider network involved and the administrative role in enabling her Indian identity.