NIA Arrests 11th Accused From Kerala In Human Trafficking Case

Saudi Zakir, who illegally entered India via Bangladesh was the 11th foreigner arrested by the federal agency, the official said.

The NIA registered Human Trafficking case (RC-01/2023/NIA/DLI) on November 7, 2023

Source : PTI

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested a foreign national from Kerala in connection with Bengaluru human trafficking case on Friday. Saudi Zakir, who was on the run, was zeroed down to his hideout in Kochi in Kerala and taken into custody on Thursday, the official said. Saudi Zakir, who illegally entered India via Bangladesh was the 11th foreigner arrested by the federal agency, the official said. The arrest was made after a case was registered last month.

In a release, NIA said, "Absconder Saudi Zakir, who had been on the run since his house was searched last month by the NIA, was on Thursday tracked to his Kochi (Kerala) hideout and taken into custody. Investigations have revealed that the accused had illegally crossed into India via Benapole at the Indo-Bangladesh border."

Saudi Zakir moved to Bellandur area in Bengaluru city of Karnataka, where he had set up a Waste Collection and Segregation Unit and had employed other foreign nationals, who had also illegally crossed over into India through the border, the release said.

The NIA registered Human Trafficking case (RC-01/2023/NIA/DLI) on November 7, 2023, following credible inputs about certain Kamataka-based persons having linkages with facilitators and traffickers in Assam, Tripura and countries across the border.

"The linkages were identified as part of a large network engaged in trafficking of individuals into India through the Indo-Bangladesh border. The accused were also providing fake Aadhar cards to the individuals trafficked from across the border as per investigations. Ten foreign nationals had been earlier arrested by the NIA in the case, registered under sections 1208, 370, 465 & 471 IPC and section 18 of UA(P) Act, 1967. The NIA is continuing its investigations in the case, aimed at dismantling the human trafficking racket being carried out through various networks active along the Indo-Bangladesh border," the release said.