One of the accused, Arup Biswas, was arrested and a large number of fake identity cards, documents and equipment were seized. (Photo: Twitter/Image for representational purpose)

The West Bengal Police has busted a fake voter identity card racket in Bongaon city situated approximately 78 kilometres away from Kolkata.

Police received a tip-off about the Voter ID racket and raided a building in Paikpara area in Bongaon, located just four-and-half kilometer from the International Border with Bangladesh.

Police said the main accused in the racket used sophisticated equipment to replicate the logo of the Election Commission and other government offices to produce fake Voter ID cards, Aadhaar cards, driving licence and passports.

One of the accused, Arup Biswas, was arrested and a large number of fake identity cards, documents and equipment were seized. Police also seized a computer, printer, few ATM cards and a fake Bongaon Municipality Trade license from his possession.

Police said during interrogation it was revealed that the racket was operating from Biswas’ house for more than a year. He used to attract new clients using middlemen and misleading advertisements.

Biswas’ business allegedly attracted some officials who too wanted fake indentity cards. They then allegedly placed orders for a tranche of fake Voter ID cards for a hefty amount.

The scamsters used to replace photos in scanned copies of documents, change the names and put fake photos on them. Finally, they used the sophisticated machinery to carefully place the original government seal before laminating them.

Sources told India Today TV that police are trying to identify the officials who ordered the fake IDs and the purpose behind it. The case gains importance because the racket was busted few kilometers away from the International Border.

The racket came to light a few months back when local police arrested Sourav Biswas, who was caught with fake Voter ID and Aadhaar cards. An unusually large number of fake ID cards were seized from his possession.

Police suspect involvement of some unscrupulous elements in the district collectorate. In the past, intelligence inputs have highlighted that these fake identity cards were procured by Bangladeshi immigrants at a premium.

They allegedly use these fake documents in India. Police are not ruling out the possibility of terror suspects using this as a tool to sneak into the country. As of now, Biswas has been kept in police custody while hunt for other members involved in the racket is on.