Afghan national arrested with forged Indian identity cards in Chandigarh

The police have arrested a 37-year-old Afghan national for allegedly residing in India illegally and procuring identity documents through fraudulent means.

The arrest was made by the Mauli Jagran police team under the supervision of senior officers, including Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kanwardeep Kaur and Superintendent of Police (SP, City) KM Priyanka.

The accused, identified as Mohammad Rasool Barak, originally from Kandahar, Afghanistan, entered India in 2015 on a student visa and later graduated from Panjab University in 2018. However, he continued to stay in the country unlawfully after his visa expired and has been working as a taxi driver.

According to police investigations, Barak falsely claimed Indian nationality to obtain a learner’s licence and successfully procured an Aadhaar card, PAN card, and driving licence. His application falsely listed his birthplace as Chandigarh.

Acting on a complaint from Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), Amritsar, and after verification of official records, a case under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act and Section 318 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita was registered. Barak was arrested today and has been remanded to 14-day judicial custody. Further investigation is underway.

Barak stated that he does not want to go back to his native country due to “abnormal” situation back home.

During the course of discreet enquiries, the police learnt that Barak has falsely claimed to be Indian in his application form for a learner’s license with the Registration and Licensing Authority, Chandigarh, and also made/procured other Indian Identity documents in his name such as Aadhaar Card, PAN Card and a driving licence valid till November 2030.

According to certified copies of the documents received from RLA, Barak, had mentioned himself as a resident of Raipur Khurd, Chandigarh, and mentioned his place of birth as Chandigarh.