Bhopal, September 14, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Madhya Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has expanded its investigation into a suspected fake passport racket, with more than 70 passports currently under scrutiny and four people arrested so far.
The probe has spread across Bhopal, Gwalior, Betul, Chhindwara and Pandhurna, where investigators are examining passport applications, addresses and documents allegedly submitted to obtain the travel documents.
STF Deputy Inspector General Rahul Lodha said the agency is also examining a passport belonging to an accused arrested in Nagpur that was issued in Gujarat.
“So far, a total of 70 passports are under investigation in connection with the fake passport case. We have also included another passport of an accused arrested from Nagpur, which was found to have been issued in Gujarat. The investigation is still underway,” Lodha said.
The four arrested accused are from northeastern states, including Assam, and their identities and other details are being verified, the officer said.
The investigation has found that several passport applications were allegedly submitted using identical or suspicious addresses, raising the possibility of an organised network.
Lodha said 17 passports in Gwalior were allegedly applied for from the same location in the Semariya Tal area of Dabra, while 40 passports in Bhopal were allegedly issued using an address in Anna Nagar.
The Bhopal cases are being examined in detail, particularly those involving the address of a math in Anna Nagar under the Govindpura police station area. Investigators are verifying the documents and addresses submitted with the applications and checking whether local facilitators or agents helped applicants obtain the passports.
The STF is also probing possible inter-state links and examining whether the passports under scrutiny are connected.
Further arrests and action are expected if the investigation establishes the involvement of more people or uncovers additional fraudulent applications. The STF is also extending the probe to other locations to determine the full extent of the suspected racket.
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