A 28-year-old Bangladeshi model and actress, Shanta Paul, was arrested in Kolkata for allegedly possessing multiple Indian identity documents and the arrest was made by the Lalbazar Detective Department from a rented flat in Bijoygarh, Jadavpur, where she had been living since 2023. During the operation, police found two Aadhaar cards, a voter ID, a Bangladeshi airline ID, and an admit card from Bangladesh’s secondary examination board. Investigators now suspect the presence of a larger racket that may be facilitating such forgeries.
Model With Indian IDs Raises Red Flags
Shanta Paul had reportedly been living in India under different identities. The police recovered two Aadhaar cards—one issued in Kolkata and the other in Bardhaman in 2020. She also possessed a valid Indian voter ID card. Paul could not explain how she obtained these documents. Police say she frequently changed addresses and provided conflicting details, including in a recent fraud complaint filed at Thakurpukur Police Station, where she listed a different address.
High-Profile Background Under Scrutiny
According to police sources, Paul is a well-known figure in Bangladesh. She has won multiple modelling contests and even represented her country in the Miss Asia Global competition in Kerala in 2019. In past interviews in North Bengal, she claimed to have worked in Bengali and Telugu films. Her profession and social image have added pressure on investigators to dig deeper into the case.
UIDAI, EC, and State Departments Notified
The police have contacted the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), the Election Commission, and the State Food Department to verify the authenticity of the Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration card recovered from her flat. Investigators are examining what documents she submitted to obtain these credentials.
Husband and Parents Also Under Lens
Paul’s husband, a resident of Andhra Pradesh, is also being probed. Her parents, who were staying with her in the South Kolkata apartment, are part of the investigation. Police suspect that they may have assisted her or were aware of the identity fraud.
Companion Questioned, No Charges Yet
A male companion has also come under police radar. While he is being questioned, the police have not yet found any incriminating evidence against him.
Police Custody till August 8
A Kolkata court has remanded Paul to police custody till August 8. The investigation will focus on how she entered India, how she obtained multiple IDs, and whether a forgery network helped her navigate the system.
