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Updated - October 17, 2026 04:07 pm IST - Kozhikode

Representational image | Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

The Kozhikode city police have arrested three Bangladeshi nationals, including two women, who were residing in the city and working in local spas using forged identification documents. The Medical College Police carried out the arrests on Friday (October 9, 2026) following a coordinated operation.

The suspects in custody have been identified as Roshnara Begum (30) from Kulapadgathi in Khulna district, Papiya (22) from Kasi Gram in Manikganj district, and Roshnara’s husband, Rabbi Ripun (28), a resident of Kishoreganj district.

The incident came to light near a hotel in Vellayil on Thursday (October 8, 2026). A dispute broke out between the three persons and several migrant workers, which escalated into a physical altercation. Following a complaint lodged by the workers, the police launched an investigation.

Acting on initial information that the suspects were Bangladeshi nationals, a joint operation was led by District Police Chief (Kozhikode city) A. P. Shoukathali and Assistant Commissioner of Police T. K. Ashraf.

Police officers from Vellayil detained Rabbi Ripun from a residence near a private hospital on the Mini Bypass Road.

After interrogating Ripun, officers located and detained the two women. Subsequent verification of their credentials revealed that all three had entered Keralam after procuring fake Indian identity documents including Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and Voter ID cards forged using addresses in Kolkata.

Preliminary enquiries revealed photos related to these fraudulent documents stored on the women’s mobile phones, along with proof that Roshnara’s father is also a Bangladeshi citizen.

Police enquiries revealed that Rabbi Ripun entered India eight months ago and worked in Bengaluru for four months before relocating to Kozhikode. He was living in rented accommodation near a private hospital and working as a welder along with a local colleague, Sudheer, at an industrial estate in Puthiyapalam.

His wife, Roshnara, arrived in Kozhikode eight months ago and had been employed at various spas in Thondayad, Nadakkavu, and Eranhipalam. Meanwhile, Papiya arrived in Kozhikode 10 days ago and had been working at a spa in Thondayad for the past seven days.

Published - October 10, 2026 11:21 am IST

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