Kolkata ( The COW News Digital)Bangladeshi actress and popular YouTuber Shanta Paul was arrested in Kolkata for allegedly residing in India illegally and possessing multiple forged Indian identity documents, according to local law enforcement.
The 28-year-old model and influencer was taken into custody during a police raid on a rented flat in the Bikramgarh area of South Kolkata. Authorities claim that Paul had overstayed her visa, which expired after she entered India in 2023. Instead of returning to Bangladesh, she continued living secretly in India, blending into local communities.
The arrest led to the uncovering of a wider forgery network suspected of helping foreign nationals acquire Indian documents through illegal means. During the raid, police recovered two fake Aadhaar cards, one voter ID, a ration card, and a PAN card — all registered under different addresses in West Bengal.
Officials revealed that Shanta Paul obtained these fake documents through a broker network that specializes in forging Indian identification papers for undocumented residents. The police stated that Paul was using these documents to pass off as an Indian citizen and avoid detection.
Her arrest came during a routine identity check, when she failed to produce a valid visa. A subsequent search of her residence revealed not only fake Indian IDs but also multiple Bangladeshi passports and other personal identification materials, suggesting premeditated intent to reside illegally.
Sources within the police department indicated that the network behind the fake ID racket may involve several brokers and local officials, and investigations are currently underway to identify all parties involved.
Shanta Paul had gained considerable popularity on social media for her modeling content and vlogs. Her arrest has caused a stir both in Indian and Bangladeshi online communities, where followers are expressing shock and concern over the allegations.
Authorities are now exploring the possibility of deportation and additional legal proceedings under India’s immigration and cyber fraud laws. The case has also reignited discussions on border security and the misuse of Indian identification systems.
