In a major law enforcement operation targeting undocumented foreign nationals, the Aluva Police arrested two Bangladeshi citizens who had been illegally residing in Kerala. The suspects, identified as Shakil Khan (34) and Roni Sheikh (30), were taken into custody from a rented accommodation in the Pulinchode area of Aluva.
According to senior police officials, the duo managed to evade detection for months by masquerading as migrant laborers from neighboring Indian states. The operation was executed following intelligence inputs, culminating in a swift raid that exposed their concealed citizenship status and fake identity claims.
| Suspect Name | Age | Native Origin | Previous Indian Residence | Duration in Kerala |
| Roni Sheikh | 30 | Bangladesh | Murshidabad, West Bengal (15 yrs) | 9 Months |
| Shakil Khan | 34 | Bangladesh | West Bengal (10 yrs) | 4 Months |
Uncovering the Long-Term Infiltration Network
Detailed interrogation revealed that both individuals had entered India through illegal border channels years prior, establishing long-term residence in West Bengal before migrating down south.
- Roni Sheikh had been living in the Murshidabad district of West Bengal for nearly 15 years before moving to Kerala nine months ago.
- Shakil Khan crossed into West Bengal a decade ago and arrived in Kerala approximately four months back.
By assimilating into the vast migrant labor workforce in Ernakulam district—often referred to as Kerala’s commercial and industrial hub—the suspects managed to secure temporary employment and rental housing without attracting initial suspicion. However, sustained vigilance and targeted background checks by local law enforcement brought their activities under scrutiny.
Key Evidence and Investigating Officers
During intensive questioning and subsequent searches of their residence in Pulinchode, investigating officers recovered authentic Bangladeshi national identification cards and documents, cementing the case against them.
The high-profile investigation is being spearheaded by a specialized police team comprising:
- Sub-Inspector Josi M. Johnson
- Sub-Inspector Ranjith Mathew
- Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) P.J. Varghese
Cases have been registered under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, which carries strict penalties for unauthorized entry, forged documentation, and illegal stay within Indian territory. Authorities are now investigating potential backward links, including organized human trafficking syndicates and agents who facilitate illegal border crossings and forged identity papers.
Growing Security Operations Across Kerala
The arrests in Aluva highlight an ongoing, state-wide drive by Kerala Police and intelligence agencies to verify the credentials of foreign nationals living across industrial corridors. Towns like Aluva, Perumbavoor, and Kothamangalam host large populations of inter-state workers, making them primary focal points for routine identity verification drives.
State law enforcement has repeatedly urged property owners, labor contractors, and industrial unit managers to mandate thorough identity checks and register tenant information with local police stations to prevent similar security lapses. Further legal proceedings and deportation protocols through federal border agencies will follow as the investigation progresses.
