Two Pakistani nationals arrested in Raipur for fraudulently obtaining Indian voter ID cards

RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh police in Raigarh have arrested two Pakistani citizens who allegedly obtained Indian voter ID cards by providing false information.

According to district police, the two Pakistani nationals — Iftekhar Sheikh (29) and Armish Sheikh (25)—were living in the Kodatarai area of Raigarh district, around 230 km east of Raipur.

"Raigarh police had launched a campaign to check if any Pakistani nationals were staying illegally in the district. During this drive, we received information about two suspected foreigners living in Kodatarai at the house of a local resident, Yakub Sheikh," said Prashant Rao, in-charge of the Jutemill police station in Raigarh.

"Both Pakistani nationals were located during the intensive verification campaign," he added.

Acting on the information, Jutemill police raided the area. During questioning, both individuals claimed to possess Pakistani passports and valid Long Term Visas (LTVs).

They are originally from Landhi town in eastern Karachi. According to police, they deceitfully secured Indian voter ID cards by submitting false information in Form No. 06 of the Election Commission of India to get their names added to the voters' list.

Police also found other documents in their possession, such as a bank passbook.

A case has been registered against them under sections 199 (false statement in a declaration receivable as evidence), 200 (using a false declaration as true), 419 (cheating by impersonation), 467 (forgery of valuable security or will), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating) and 34 (acts done by several persons with common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Further investigation is underway, police officials said.

Meanwhile, following the Cabinet Committee on Security's recent decisions after the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian government has suspended all visa services for Pakistani nationals with immediate effect.

All existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals have been revoked, effective from 27 April 2025.