Cross-border trafficking network: 9 convicted, Get 8-year sentence in UP

A special NIA/ATS court in Uttar Pradesh has sentenced nine individuals , including five Rohingya and three Bangladeshi nationals, to eight years of rigorous imprisonment after convicting them of illegal immigration, possession of forged documents and human trafficking, officials said on Friday.

According to the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), the case began on July 26, 2021 , when three accused Mohammad Noor alias Nurul Islam (Bangladesh), Rahmatullah (Rohingya) and Shabiullah (Rohingya) were arrested from Ghaziabad railway station. During the operation, three victims of human trafficking , including two girls, were rescued, highlighting the exploitative network the accused were allegedly part of.

The subsequent investigation revealed a wider network allegedly involved in facilitating illegal entry into India using fake identity documents and trafficking individuals. Based on evidence collected, six more accused were identified: Abdul Shakoor alias Gunny (Bangladesh), Ale Miyan (Bangladesh), Mohammad Ismail (Rohingya), Mohammad Rafiq alias Rafiqul Islam (Rohingya), Mohammad Hussain (Rohingya), and Bappan alias Arshad Miyan , a resident of Tripura. All were later arrested and sent to jail.

After completing the probe, the ATS filed a chargesheet detailing the alleged roles of the accused in the network.

In its order issued on Thursday, the court found all nine guilty of illegal immigration, possession of fake documents and human trafficking , and sentenced each of them to eight years of rigorous imprisonment . A fine of ₹2,500 was also imposed on each convict.

Officials said the case underscores efforts to curb illegal immigration and trafficking networks operating across borders.