NewsFlash Daily™
09 April 
Special court awards 3-year rigorous imprisonment and fines as NIA exposes cross-border trafficking racket operating under waste segregation cover
Bengaluru: A special NIA court in Bengaluru has sentenced four Bangladeshi nationals to three years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 20,000 each for their involvement in an international human trafficking network.
The convicted individuals, Zakir Khan, Badal Howlader, Kabir Talukdar, and Mohammad Bacchu Gharami, were found guilty of illegally entering India and orchestrating a trafficking racket in Bengaluru. The court’s ruling marks a crucial step in dismantling cross-border human trafficking operations.
Illegal Entry and Fake Identity Network
According to the investigation, the accused infiltrated India through Benapole and Akhaura borders using illegal routes. They then created fake Indian identity documents, including forged Aadhaar cards, to establish their operations in the outskirts of Bengaluru.
Trafficking Under the Guise of Waste Segregation
The network operated under the cover of a waste segregation unit, which was used as a front to facilitate human trafficking. The accused had leased land and constructed sheds to house trafficked victims brought from Bangladesh.
“The accused built infrastructure to shelter victims and expanded their illegal network by recruiting more individuals,” officials revealed.
NIA Busts the Racket in 2023
The National Investigation Agency busted the trafficking network in November 2023 following intelligence inputs and sustained surveillance. During the raids, officials seized fake Indian documents, Bangladeshi identity cards, digital devices, and cash.
Wider Network and Multiple Arrests
So far, a total of 12 accused have been arrested across the country in connection with the case. The NIA filed its chargesheet in February 2024 and later arrested two additional accused in May 2024, indicating the scale and depth of the network.
Ongoing Probe Into Cross-Border Nexus
Authorities confirmed that further investigation is underway to completely dismantle the transnational trafficking syndicate. The case highlights the persistent threat of illegal migration and organised human trafficking networks operating across borders.
