Bharuch police uncover fake marriage, divorce racket linked to illegal migration to UK

The Bharuch police have uncovered a fake marriage and divorce racket that allegedly sent people illegally to the United Kingdom. A case has been registered against four accused, including a lawyer.

The scam came to light during an investigation into an application submitted at the Palej police station. During the inquiry, police discovered that fabricated marriage documents were allegedly used to facilitate travel to the UK, with fake divorce papers after disputes over money.

According to the police, a resident of Jambusar, Rizwan Ismail Meda, falsely claimed a UK-based woman, Taslimabanu Ismail Karbhari, as his wife. The accused allegedly prepared a forged marriage registration certificate, which was then used to apply for a UK visa. Meda is said to have approached an agent, Soeb Daud Ikhariya, to secure a dependent visa by presenting Taslimabanu as his spouse.

In February 2024, Taslimabanu allegedly displayed the fake marriage certificate before the agent and arranged for Meda to travel to the UK on a dependent visa. Police said financial disagreements later emerged between those involved, leading to the creation of further forged documents.

Investigators allege that a lawyer, Sajid Kothia, originally from Kanthariya village and currently residing in Canada, prepared a fake divorce order purportedly issued by a court in Bharuch. The document was allegedly passed off as genuine with the assistance of Taslimabanu’s cousin, Faisal.

After confirming the forgery of both marriage and divorce documents, the Palej police registered the case as the complainant. Bharuch police said details of the accused, some of whom are currently based in the UK and Canada, have been shared with the British High Commission and the Indian embassy.

Police are probing whether the same group was involved in similar cases in Bharuch or other districts to illegally send more individuals abroad.