In a significant crackdown on document fraud, the Lalapur police in Prayagraj have arrested a 31-year-old man for allegedly manipulating his date of birth in critical identity documents. The accused, identified as Shivshankar Pal from Derabari, was taken into custody on Wednesday following a detailed investigation into his activities.
Forgery Across Multiple Documents
According to police reports, Shivshankar Pal managed to alter his date of birth from July 11, 1994, to July 11, 2005, across several official records. This fraudulent act involved obtaining a forged birth certificate from the Shankargarh block in Prayagraj district, which he then used to update his Aadhaar card and PAN card. The police have charged him under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including sections 319(2), 336(3), 340(2), and 61(2), with additional sections 318(4) and 338 added during the investigation.
Confession Reveals Elaborate Scheme
During interrogation, Shivshankar confessed to a complex scheme aimed at gaining financial benefits. He revealed that he originally passed his High School examination from the Uttar Pradesh Board in 2011, with his correct date of birth recorded as July 11, 1994. His initial Aadhaar and PAN cards were also made with accurate data, and he even obtained a passport in 2022 through an application from Lalapur Police Station using the correct information.
However, in a bold move, he later applied for the High School examination again through the Open Schooling and Skill Education Board in Sikkim, Gangtok. By tampering with documents on a computer, he forged his date of birth to July 11, 2005, and successfully passed the exam, receiving a mark sheet and migration certificate with the fabricated details.
Motivation Behind the Fraud
Police officials stated that the accused's primary motivation was to secure financial advantages by presenting himself as younger than his actual age. Using the forged birth certificate, he systematically updated his Aadhaar and PAN cards, attempting to leverage these documents for various benefits. The investigation uncovered that this was not a spontaneous act but a premeditated plan involving multiple steps of document manipulation.
Legal Implications and Broader Impact
The case highlights growing concerns over identity fraud in India, particularly involving Aadhaar and passport documents. Authorities emphasize that such forgeries undermine the integrity of national identification systems and pose risks to financial and security frameworks. The addition of BNS sections during the probe indicates the seriousness of the offense, with potential legal consequences including imprisonment and fines.
This incident serves as a reminder for citizens to maintain the accuracy of their personal records and for institutions to enhance verification processes. As digital documentation becomes more prevalent, preventing such frauds is crucial for safeguarding public trust and national security.
