Haridwar Police Uncover Fake CSC Operation, Arrest Bihar Native for Mass Document Forgery
In a significant crackdown on document fraud, Haridwar police have arrested a 24-year-old man from Bihar for allegedly operating a counterfeit Common Services Centre (CSC) and producing a vast quantity of forged government documents. The arrest was made from the Piran Kaliyar area on Friday, following an intensive investigation into illegal activities targeting local residents.
Accused Posed as Human Rights Official to Establish Fake Center
The accused, identified as Shah Nawaz, originally from Bihar, had been running the fraudulent CSC operation since January from a hotel room in Kaliyar. Police revealed that he checked into the hotel by presenting a fabricated identity card, falsely claiming to be an official from the human rights commission. Under this deceptive guise, he systematically began creating and distributing counterfeit documents to individuals in the area.
During his stay, Nawaz allegedly charged money for preparing forged birth certificates, Aadhaar cards, and PAN cards, exploiting the trust of residents seeking essential documentation services.
Investigation Uncovers Nearly 1000 Forged Birth Certificates
The police investigation uncovered a staggering scale of forgery, with Nawaz having issued approximately 1,000 fake birth certificates, predominantly to residents of Haridwar district. His arrest occurred during a routine outsider verification drive, where authorities discovered incriminating evidence in his possession.
From the hotel room, police recovered 45 counterfeit birth certificates all bearing the same serial number, along with forged Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and official government seals used to authenticate the fraudulent documents.
Accused Learned Forgery Techniques While Working at Legitimate CSC in Bihar
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Navneet Singh stated that during interrogation, Nawaz disclosed he had previously worked at a legitimate CSC in Bihar. It was there that he acquired the technical knowledge to generate certificates online and manipulate official documents, skills he later misused for illegal gain.
"The accused is being thoroughly questioned about his operations and connections," SSP Singh confirmed. "He admitted to learning document generation techniques during his earlier employment, which he then exploited to run this fraudulent scheme."
Pilgrimage Pretext Used to Establish Operation
Police further revealed that Nawaz first visited Piran Kaliyar last year under the pretext of ziyarat (pilgrimage), a cover that allowed him to familiarize himself with the area before setting up his illegal operation. This calculated approach enabled him to establish his fake CSC with minimal suspicion from local authorities and residents.
Legal Action Under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Sections
A formal case has been registered against Shah Nawaz under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 336(3): Forgery with intent to cheat
- Section 338: Forging documents for monetary gain
- Section 339: Possession of forged documents
The arrest highlights growing concerns about document fraud in the region and demonstrates police vigilance in combating such crimes that undermine official documentation systems and public trust.
