An Indonesian woman identified as Rohana has been detained at the India-Nepal border in Uttar Pradesh for allegedly living in India under a false identity since 2005. The woman was apprehended by immigration officials at Sonauli in Maharajganj district after discrepancies were found between her Indian identity documents and Indonesian passport.

According to police, she allegedly obtained Indian identity documents using a different name and had been residing in the country for nearly two decades. A case has been registered against her on charges related to cheating, forgery and violations of laws governing foreign nationals.

Routine Border Check Exposes Alleged Fake Identity

The incident reportedly took place on November 10, when the woman arrived at the Sonauli immigration office around 7:30 pm while travelling to Lumbini in Nepal.

She allegedly presented an Indian voter ID card during the immigration check. However, officials noticed discrepancies between the identity mentioned on the card and the details in her Indonesian passport.

Reports have identified the name on her Indian documents as Lee Kim Lian or Li Kim Lien, while her Indonesian passport reportedly carried the name Rohana.

Officials also reportedly noticed differences in her date of birth. Her passport listed October 20, 1970, while the voter ID card mentioned June 29, 1975.

Her unusual Hindi accent reportedly raised further suspicion during questioning. When asked to provide additional identification, she presented her Indonesian passport, revealing her actual nationality.

Aadhaar, Voter ID and PAN Cards Recovered

Police reportedly recovered an Indian voter ID card, an Aadhaar card and PAN cards from the woman.

Preliminary questioning suggests that she had allegedly been living in India since 2005 and obtained multiple Indian identity documents under the suspected false identity.

Officials also reportedly found that she possessed valid visas for China and Japan and had travelled abroad several times.

According to reports, she returned to India from China in November 2025.

Woman Allegedly Ran Buddhist Centre in Kolkata

The woman reportedly operated a Buddhist centre in Kolkata through an NGO and served as its chairperson.

During questioning, she allegedly described herself as the president of a Kolkata-based NGO that provides technical assistance to Buddhist monks travelling to China.

She reportedly gave her residential address in Kolkata's Tangra area.

Investigators are now examining how she allegedly obtained Indian identity documents and whether any other individuals or organisations were involved.

Police Register Case Over Alleged Forgery

Vishal Kumar Shukla, in-charge of Sonauli police station, reportedly confirmed that a case was registered on the night of November 11.

The charges reportedly involve cheating, forgery and violations of laws governing foreign nationals.

Additional Superintendent of Police Siddharth said the woman's actual identity came to light during a routine verification process at the immigration office.

Further investigation is underway to establish the circumstances surrounding her alleged long-term stay in India and the acquisition of Indian identity documents.

Sonauli Border Witnesses Similar Cases

Sonauli is a major transit point along the India-Nepal border and has witnessed several cases involving foreign nationals allegedly travelling with fake Indian documents.

In August, a Thai woman was reportedly detained at Sonauli under similar circumstances.

The present case is separate from an incident in September 2025, when an Indonesian woman was stopped at Panitanki in Darjeeling district.

The latest detention has once again brought border security and verification of identity documents into focus.