Valsad: The Valsad Special Operations Group (SOG) has arrested two more persons for their alleged involvement in a well-planned conspiracy to obtain Indian passports using forged and fabricated documents. Police said a key accused is still absconding and a search operation is underway.

According to officials, the case came to light around 10 days ago when two brothers, Pragnesh (36) and Bhavik Raichand Patel (29), both residents of Badhaliwadi in Magarwada, Moti Daman, were arrested for initiating passport applications at the Surat Passport Office using fake birth certificates, Aadhaar cards, and PAN cards.

The investigation was subsequently handed over to P.S.I. S.R. Suslade of the SOG, Valsad (Camp Vapi).

During the probe, police arrested another accused, Jitendra alias Jitu Harish Damania (46), a tour and travel operator from Nalasopara East, Maharashtra, who is believed to be the mastermind behind the racket. He was arrested on April 28 and remanded to three days of police custody.

On Wednesday, the SOG arrested Jignesh alias Jack Naranbhai Patel, who allegedly played a key role in preparing forged documents. He was apprehended from his office, Jack Enterprises, in Dunetha village of Nani Daman. Police seized a laptop, a colour printer, bond paper, photo paper, and four mobile phones collectively worth ₹85,000, suspected to have been used in the creation of fake documents.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the accused were exploiting UK-21 visa provisions as part of their operations. Police are also probing the role of another suspect, Hemant Jagan of Patlara, Moti Daman, who is believed to be a key agent in the network and is currently absconding.

Officials said further investigation is underway to ascertain how many individuals may have obtained Indian or Portuguese passports using forged identities through this racket.

Police records show that cases have previously been registered against accused Pragnesh Patel at Valsad Rural Police Station and Mangrol Police Station in Surat district. A prohibition-related case has also been registered against Jitendra alias Jitu at Vapi Railway Police Station. DeshGujarat