Ahmedabad: The city Crime Branch on Friday arrested Mehmood Pathan alias Lalla Bihari from Moti Zher village in Rajasthan’s Banswara district. He is accused of playing a key role in facilitating the illegal settlement of Bangladeshi nationals near Chandola lake and surrounding areas.
According to police, the accused allegedly used forged electricity bills and fabricated rent agreements to make false claims of ownership or tenancy of land near the lake. These documents were then allegedly used to set up illegal homes and collect rent and electricity payments from occupants, many of whom were undocumented Bangladeshi immigrants. Authorities allege this amounts to fraud and breach of trust against public utility companies and the residents.
The matter came to light during a recent drive by the Crime Branch to remove unauthorised structures in the area. Investigation revealed that local agents, including Lalla Bihari, helped them settle and even arranged forged Indian documents for them.
A case was registered under sections related to fraud, forgery, cheating, criminal conspiracy and unauthorised use of electricity under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Police also acted under the provisions of the Indian Electricity Act.
He went into hiding soon after the complaint was lodged against him. He was preparing to travel to his native place in UP when he was nabbed.