New Delhi: In a shocking revelation, a syndicate allegedly involved in preparing fabricated documents for foreign nationals has come to light from Bihar’s Sitamarhi district, during an investigation done by a prominent media group.
According to an investigative report of Dainik Bhaskar, agents operating under an organised syndicate have revealed on camera about preparing fabricated Bharatiya documents including resident certificate and Aadhar card for foreign citizens.
The investigation done by the media persons in bordering districts of Bihar, touching with Nepal border revealed that preparing an Aadhar card for a foreign national costs around Rs 10 to 20k.
The investigation revealed that thousands of fake Aadhar Cards have already been prepared and issued to foreign nationals. The agents providing fake Aadhar Cards have also claimed about Nepali, Bangladeshi and Pakistani citizens arriving at the centres. The police on the other hand has stated about initiating a thorough enquiry into the matter.
As per details, the investigative team first met with an agent in Bihar’s Kishanganj district who informed that due to strict vigil by police, the work of preparing fake documents for foreigners has stopped in the district.
The said individual who runs a cyber café in Kishanganj later informed that the documents however could still be accessed from Sitamarhi district. The team then travelled to Sitamarhi, where they allegedly met with individuals operating under a syndicate headed by one Rakesh Kumar.
The team approached one of the agents who too operates a cyber café in a small locality near Bhittamore, along the Bharat-Nepal border. While interacting, the team asked about preparing an Aadhar card for a Nepali citizen to which the agent informed that it would cost around Rs 10k. The agent also enquired that whether the said Nepali citizen has a local identity proof or not, assuring that he will take care of it in case of unavailability.
When enquired about the authenticity of the document, the agent assured that it would be original as he already has made over a thousand such Aadhar Cards in the last five years.
The team then met another individual who runs a computer digital service shop in Sursand area. Upon approaching, the agent openly admitted about preparing fabricated documents. He informed that providing a fake Aadhar Card for a foreign national would cost around Rs 20k.
The agent then explained the process informing that a resident certificate will be made first after which he will collect finger prints and a photo of the individual and apply for Aadhar Card.
The investigative team reached the digital centre with a 24-year-old Nepali citizen, two days after finalising the deal with the agent. The agent then allegedly spoke with one Rakesh and asked the team to visit another centre being operated at Kumma.
The team then met with the alleged mastermind Rakesh at another centre who upon interacting claimed that around 20 such centres are being operated under him in the bordering areas. When enquired about the authenticity of the documents issued, Rakesh informed that he has already made documents for around 5000 outsiders.
Rakesh then allegedly provided a fake resident certificate for the Nepali citizen within 30 minutes of collecting fingerprints and photo. The certificate has an address of Sursund. Rakesh however decreased the age of the said foreign national in the certificate to remain it under 18. Upon enquiring, he informed that certificates for above 18-year olds are not being provided at present.
The investigation further revealed that Aadhar Cards issued for persons above 18 years of age are verified by Sub Divisional Magistrate which risks busting of the network. The agents rather advised the concern individuals to update the age later on.
The police upon receiving inputs about issuance of fake Aadhar Cards had reportedly raided one of the centres of Rakesh in July this year, though no case was registered due to lack of evidences. Rakesh brother Mukesh was also arrested by police following a raid in 2021.
The revelation of the syndicate network providing fraudulent and fabricated documents for foreign nationals has raised serious security concerns and poses a grave risk of a possible influx of foreign settlers in the bordering regions, a nightmare for security in long term.
It is to be noted that this is not the only time that a syndicate providing fraudulent documents to foreign nationals has come to light and similar networks has also been busted by security agencies in the past as well.
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