Mumbai: Afghanistan man held for illegal stay

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The Mumbai crime branch Unit 5 has arrested an Afghanistan national for illegally staying in Mumbai. The police said the accused national had prepared forged documents and was staying in the National market in Wadala. The police said the national was into the money lending business and was giving loans on 10 per cent interest.

According to the crime branch sources, the Unit 5 team had intercepted the Afghan National at the National Market, Wadala. The name of the Afghan National is Habibullah Prang 38, residing in the village of Tamer, District Zuramat, Paktiya Province, Afghanistan. "In 2007 he came to India on a one-year tourist visa and had to return back in 2008. But he was staying illegally and in 2011 he was deported back to Afghanistan. He again came back in 2017 by changing his name on a tourist visa for a year and was again staying in RAK marg jurisdiction illegally," said a police official.

The police said he was staying now under the fake name Zaheer Khan. Accordingly based on the information action was taken and he was been taken into custody, "During the search of his house, forged PAN card and driving license were found. An offence has been registered at RAK police station. Further investigation is in progress," said a police officer from the crime branch.

The police during the investigation found that the accused Afghan national was giving lending money i.e. giving loans on an interest basis and had set up his business. "However, what was the purpose of the accused coming to Mumbai and India is to be investigated. We are checking if any more such Afghan nationals are illegally staying in Mumbai who came on tourist visas. We doubt they will be in touch with him," said a police officer.

The accused was produced in court on Thursday and is been remanded in police custody till February 26. "We will further deport the accused after following the procedure," said a police officer.

A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian penal code for forgery and sections of the passport act.