Bengaluru Police file 1,200-page chargesheet against 17 Pakistan nationals for illegal stay

The Bengaluru Rural police have filed a 1,200-page chargesheet against 17 Pakistani nationals arrested earlier this year for living illegally in India under forged Hindu identities. The charges include forgery, cheating, and violations of the Passport Act.

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The arrests began on September 29, when Jigani police detained Rashid Ali Siddiqui, his wife Ayesha, and her parents, Hanif Mohammed and Rubina, who had reportedly been living in India since 2014. The group claimed to be members of the Mehdi Foundation International (MFI), an organization promoting the teachings of Pakistani spiritual leader Gohar Shahi. They alleged they fled Pakistan to escape religious persecution.

Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of 13 others, most of whom were residing in Bengaluru's Peenya and Jigani areas. On October 5, police apprehended Parvez Ahmed, an Uttar Pradesh native living in Mumbai, who allegedly facilitated the provision of fake documents to help the group settle in India.

While the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) assisted in background checks, no evidence emerged linking the accused to unlawful or anti-national activities beyond their illegal entry. Police confirmed that the accused sought refuge due to threats to their lives in Pakistan.

Bail applications for the accused have been rejected, and authorities are seeking the intervention of the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) for further action. Meanwhile, the accused have expressed willingness to remain in Indian custody or seek asylum in a non-Muslim country.