A view of National Investigation Agency (NIA), in New Delhi. File | Photo Credit: Sushil Kumar Verma

National Investigation Agency Files Charge-sheet Against Myanmar Nationals in Human Trafficking Case

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has recently filed a charge-sheet against three Myanmar nationals involved in a major international human trafficking case. This case primarily focuses on the illegal trafficking and infiltration of foreign nationals, predominantly of Rohingya origin, into India through the India-Bangladesh border.

The accused individuals have been identified as Rabi Islam, also known as Rabiul Islam, Shafi Alam, also known as Sofi Alom, and Mohammad Usman. All three individuals are permanent residents of Myanmar’s Maungdaw district, according to the agency.

According to the NIA, these individuals clandestinely entered India with the assistance of traffickers and touts, without possessing any valid travel documents. In addition to their own illegal entry, they played a significant role in facilitating the infiltration of numerous other foreign nationals through unauthorized and illegal border routes, as stated in the charge-sheet.

Furthermore, the accused were part of a well-organized network of traffickers and touts engaged in various illegal activities. The charge-sheet reveals that they were involved in luring vulnerable Rohingya women, who had sought refuge in Bangladesh, into India by making false promises of marriage to Rohingya men. Subsequently, these women were sold for forced marriages across different Indian states, including Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Telangana, Haryana, and more.

The NIA’s investigation also uncovered instances of document forgery. It was established that Rabi Islam and Mohammad Usman fraudulently obtained Aadhaar cards, which they further utilized to acquire multiple SIM cards and open bank accounts, effectively concealing their true identities.

The NIA initiated its probe into this case on November 7, 2023.