Hyderabad: The Commissioner’s Task Force, Shamshabad Zone, and Pahadishareef Police arrested a 36-year-old Xerox shop owner for allegedly forging Aadhaar and PAN cards. Police accused him of altering photographs, names, dates of birth and addresses on identity documents.
The accused, Ch. Mahadev, was a resident of Jalpally in Rangareddy district. He allegedly operated the document forgery racket through his Xerox centre, Kavitha A to Z Online Services, in Budwel.
Police said Mahadev used online software to manipulate personal information on Aadhaar and PAN cards. He then allegedly supplied the altered documents to customers for unlawful purposes.
Police uncover racket involving forging Aadhaar and PAN cards
According to investigators, customers approached the accused to obtain identity documents containing modified personal details. The forged documents were allegedly used to secure private-sector jobs, obtain mobile SIM cards and access government welfare schemes.
Police said Mahadev charged Rs 300 to change the date of birth on an Aadhaar card. Meanwhile, he allegedly collected between Rs 700 and Rs 1,000 for modifying other personal details. The alterations included changes to photographs, names, residential addresses and other information appearing on identity documents.
Investigators alleged that the accused carried out these modifications using online software at his Xerox shop. During the operation, the joint police team seized 60 fake or altered Aadhaar cards and two PAN cards.
Additionally, officers recovered Rs 5,000 in cash, a laptop, printer, lamination machine and mobile phone from the accused. Police identified the seized electronic equipment as material recovered during the investigation into the alleged document forgery operation.
Following the arrest, Task Force personnel handed Mahadev and the seized material over to Pahadishareef Police. The local police took up further investigation into the alleged forgery of identity documents and their supply to customers.