Authorities in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad district have intensified a massive crackdown on illegal encroachments in the Chandola Lake area, infamously dubbed ‘Mini Bangladesh’. Over 3,000 illegal houses and shops have been flattened so far, with 60 bulldozers and 60 dumpers working around the clock to clear the encroached land.
Amid this sweeping action, the Crime Branch arrested the alleged mastermind, Lalla Bihari alias Mehboob Pathan, from Rajasthan. Earlier, his son Fateh had also been apprehended in connection with the same racket. According to investigators, Lalla Bihari played a central role in settling illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in the area, providing them fake documents, housing, and facilities in exchange for massive sums of money.
Rampant Illegal Activities in ‘Mini Bangladesh’
Thousands of Bangladeshis have reportedly lived in the Chandola area for years under the radar. Investigators found that Lalla Bihari charged Rs 3 to 3.5 lakh per person for facilitating illegal residency and Rs 1.5 to 2 lakh for fake Aadhaar cards.
He ran a full-fledged underground racket — from renting out huts at Rs 5,000 per month, charging Rs 20-50 for rickshaw parking, to supplying water via illegal borewells. Investigators have also found that he generated substantial income from illegal rentals and prostitution involving Bangladeshi women.
Crackdown and Arrest
Following bulldozer action, Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi gave a 72-hour deadline to nab Lalla Bihari. Acting on the directive, the Crime Branch traced and arrested him from Rajasthan.
During the raid, police recovered Rs 9.5 lakh in cash, gold jewellery, a money-counting machine, and other evidence. The Crime Branch also raided the houses of Lalla Bihari’s four wives and daughters-in-law. “We’re also looking into his hideouts in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh,” a police official said.
According to sources, the black money trail revealed that Bihari stored large sums in the homes of all four wives. His first wife’s residence, in particular, held a significant portion of the illegal earnings.
Police Dig Deeper Into Documents and Links
Authorities discovered letter pads and signed documents in Lalla Bihari’s farmhouse, indicating how deeply rooted his network was. A senior police officer revealed, “Most of the black money comes from prostitution of Bangladeshi women. He was also earning lakhs of rupees by renting out illegal plots.”
As the investigation continues, authorities believe that more high-profile names might surface in connection with the racket. For now, the Chandola Lake operation stands as one of the most extensive actions against illegal settlement and black money in the region.
