In a significant development addressing growing public concern, District Minister Satish Jarkiholi has issued a directive to the Belagavi district administration to establish a joint task force. This specialized team will comprise senior police officers and revenue department officials, tasked with investigating the alleged large-scale creation and misuse of duplicate Aadhaar cards within Belagavi district.
Immediate Inquiry Ordered Following Republic Day Event
The minister's decisive direction came in direct response to pointed questions raised by the media during a press conference held on Monday. This conference followed the ceremonial unfurling of the Indian Flag at the Republic Day event hosted at the district stadium. Demonstrating the urgency of the matter, Minister Jarkiholi explicitly instructed Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan and the city police commissioner to initiate an immediate inquiry into the alleged scam.
Responding promptly to the directive, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan confirmed that the joint task force would be constituted shortly. He assured the public and the media that the investigation would commence at the earliest possible opportunity, signaling the administration's commitment to tackling this issue head-on.
Pattern of Illegal Property Transfers and Public Alarm
The call for investigation follows alarming reports from recent months. Several properties are alleged to have been transferred illegally through sub-registrar offices by utilizing forged or duplicate Aadhaar cards. One particularly egregious case, registered at the Udyambag police station, involves eight individuals who allegedly impersonated the rightful owners of a family property.
These accused individuals reportedly used counterfeit Aadhaar cards to fraudulently transfer an ancestral property to a third party. This incident has intensified the public debate and heightened anxiety regarding the extent of the fake Aadhaar racket operating in the district.
The Grave Threat of Duplicate Aadhaar Cards
The creation of duplicate Aadhaar cards, which bear the photograph of one individual but the name of another, presents a major security and legal threat. Beyond property fraud, these fake documents are also being misused to manipulate age records, particularly in sensitive cases involving child marriage.
Given that Aadhaar serves as a foundational identity document linked to a multitude of government and private services—including banking, subsidies, and official registrations—the escalating misuse is causing significant public alarm. The potential for financial fraud and identity theft is substantial.
Addressing this vulnerability, Minister Jarkiholi stated that vigilance at private Aadhaar enrolment centres would be rigorously tightened in the coming days to prevent further illicit activities.
Minister Addresses Additional District Concerns
During the same press conference, Minister Jarkiholi also fielded questions on other pressing issues affecting Belagavi district. On the topic of illegal laterite mining in rural parts of Belagavi taluk, the minister revealed that the matter had come to his attention approximately six months prior.
"We have been monitoring the issue closely. It is confirmed that illegal mining activities are occurring, and I will direct the concerned departments to take necessary and stringent action," Jarkiholi stated.
University Irregularities to be Discussed
Furthermore, the minister responded to serious allegations concerning Rani Channamma University in Belagavi. These allegations encompass a range of irregularities, including:
- Procurement issues with answer sheets and certificate paper.
- Substandard work reported at the new university campus in Hirebagewadi.
- Allegations of Vice-Chancellor Prof. CM Thyagaraja submitting fake qualification documents.
- Accusations of caste-based bias within the university administration.
Minister Jarkiholi assured that he would conduct a meeting shortly to discuss these multifaceted issues in detail and determine an appropriate course of action.
The press conference was attended by key district officials, including MLA Asif Sait, Zilla Panchayat CEO Rahul Shinde, City Police Commissioner Bhushan Borase, and Superintendent of Police K. Ramarajan, underscoring the collective administrative focus on these challenges.
