Afghan National Arrested in Surat for Obtaining Indian Passport Using Forged Documents; Accused Had Been Running Garment Business Across Multiple States
Surat Police have arrested an Afghan national for allegedly obtaining an Indian passport and other government identification documents using forged and fabricated papers. The accused had been living in Surat for several years and was reportedly engaged in the garment trade across Delhi, Maharashtra, and several other states. The case has exposed a major security breach involving fake identity creation and misuse of sensitive government documents.
Accused Identified as Afghan Citizen Who Forged Indian Identity
The Surat Crime Branch detained the accused, identified as Mohammad Amir Javed Khan, an Afghan resident who allegedly used bogus Indian documents to acquire an Indian passport. A case has been registered at the Chowk Bazar Police Station after authorities discovered that the accused had created a fake birth certificate to claim Indian citizenship and subsequently obtained an Aadhaar card, PAN card, voter ID card, and a valid Indian passport.
The entire scam surfaced following an inquiry conducted by the labour department, revealing a well-planned conspiracy aimed at illegally securing Indian nationality.
How the Afghan National Was Living in India
According to police officials, the accused Mohammad Amir Javed Khan (age 42) originally hails from Kabul, Afghanistan. He had been residing in the Malabar Plus building located in the Jahangirpura area of Surat. Initially, he entered India in 2018 on a one-year visitor visa and later obtained a UNHCR refugee card, which allowed him temporary stay in the country. However, instead of following legal procedures, he allegedly began devising ways to acquire Indian citizenship permanently.
Conspired With Maharashtra Associate to Create Fake Birth Certificate
The investigation revealed that the accused, along with a friend named Agajan—currently a wanted suspect residing in Jalna, Maharashtra—hatched a plan to manufacture a fake Indian identity. As part of the conspiracy, the accused arranged a forged birth certificate from the Jalna Municipal Corporation, falsely showing that he was born on June 4, 1983, in Jalna, Maharashtra.
Using this fabricated birth certificate, he successfully applied for and received an Indian passport. Furthermore, he used the same forged documents to obtain other sensitive Indian government IDs, including Aadhaar, PAN, and voter ID cards. Police noted that all these documents were made using his original Afghan name, making the scam even more alarming.
Surat Police Reveal Detailed Modus Operandi
Deputy Commissioner of Police Bhavesh Rozia stated that the accused had initially arrived in India in 2018 and later shifted to Surat after securing a refugee card from Delhi. By the time his visa expired, he had already managed to fabricate multiple Indian identity documents with assistance from his associate in Maharashtra.
DCP Rozia emphasized that forging government identity documents and acquiring an Indian passport using falsified records is a serious national security threat. The Crime Branch has begun a deeper investigation into the accused’s background, motives, and contacts, particularly focusing on whether his stay was limited to business activities or if there were other undisclosed intentions.
Search for Wanted Co-Accused Underway
Authorities have launched a search for the accused’s associate, Agajan, who played a key role in preparing the forged documents. Police are also investigating whether any government officials, agents, or intermediaries were involved in helping the accused acquire the fraudulent documents.
Case Registered Under Multiple Sections
The offense reportedly occurred between December 19, 2024, and February 18, 2025, near the Chowk Bazar Heritage Overbridge. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and Section 12(1) of the Indian Passport Act, 1967. The accused has been arrested, and further legal proceedings are underway.
The Crime Branch continues to investigate the deeper network behind the fraudulent document creation racket and is working to determine the accused’s long-term objectives for remaining in India under a false identity.
