Delhi Police seize 450 fake cards from illegal 'Aadhaar center'
Delhi Police have seized more than 450 fake Aadhaar cards in the making during a raid at an illegal center in the Shastri Nagar area, throwing light again on the vulnerabilities of the crucial document. The two racketeers, who have been arrested, used to work for an approved Aadhaar center earlier, where they learnt to access the system unauthorized.
Frauds got ID, password for Aadhaar database from previous workplace
Vikash Kumar (27) and his associate Sushil Kumar (25) used to work for a private firm earlier, which was authorized to issue Aadhaar cards. For the task, both the data entry operators had their own login details. "The men then procured equipment required for printing and scanning candidates' profiles and started using the same user ID to make fake cards," an officer said.
Police raid started with visit by an undercover cop
Their business - a photocopying-cum-scanning center with 'Aadhaar Card' facility - started in 2013, police said, but they received a tipoff only recently. On June 26, an undercover cop went to their firm as a customer to get the address on his Aadhaar Card changed. They demanded Rs. 500 for the job. In the meantime, a police team raided the place and nabbed the two.
Fake rubber stamps, fake affidavits, Aadhaar printing equipment seized
During the raid, police found 52 fully-ready and 400 partially-completed fake plastic Aadhaar Cards, nine laminated ones, 54 visiting cards, fake rubber stamp of the district magistrate, fake affidavits, and equipment for Aadhaar: fingerprint scanners, eye scanners, laptops and printers. After arrest, they confessed their scam. Police claim their versions back each other. They also said they were charging Rs. 400-500 for each 'Aadhaar.'
Such cases don't help government's insistence on Aadhaar
Critics, fighting a case in the SC against Aadhaar, have often pointed out such vulnerabilities. Common questions include does Aadhaar breach right to privacy; how safe is the database; is there certainty that Aadhaar cards can't be forged; and are there enough checks to prevent misuse. The government has maintained the document is crucial for security and transparency. The verdict is expected in July-August.
