In a decisive move to curb property fraud, Belagavi District Commissioner Mohammad Roshan has issued a strict order requiring all sub-registrars in the district to mandatorily authenticate Aadhaar cards of parties involved during property registration processes. This directive aims to address growing concerns over identity theft and fraudulent transactions that have plagued the region.
Background: Exposing a Large-Scale Racket
The order comes in response to a recent investigative report by the Times of India, which uncovered a widespread racket involving the creation and misuse of duplicate Aadhaar numbers for illicit property transactions through sub-registrar offices. The report highlighted how fraudulent activities have exploited loopholes in the current system, leading to significant financial losses and legal complications for rightful property owners.
Case Study: Udyambag Police Station Incident
One prominent case registered at the Udyambag police station involved eight individuals who allegedly impersonated legitimate property owners using fake Aadhaar numbers. They fraudulently transferred an ancestral property belonging to a family, sparking public outrage and intensifying debates over the extent of the fake Aadhaar racket in Belagavi district. This incident underscored the urgent need for stronger verification measures to protect citizens' assets.
Official Order and Clarifications
In his order, released to the media on Thursday, DC Mohammad Roshan emphasized that Aadhaar authentication is now mandatory for all property registrations in Belagavi. He clarified that this measure is essential to prevent fraud involving impersonation in property transactions, safeguard public and government properties, maintain public peace and order, and curb criminal activities across the district. The directive reinforces existing protocols while introducing stricter enforcement to deter malpractices.
Government Response and Task Force Formation
Taking serious note of the issue, District Minister Satish Jarkiholi has directed the district administration to constitute a joint task force. This team will comprise senior police officers and revenue department officials tasked with probing the alleged large-scale creation and misuse of duplicate Aadhaar numbers in Belagavi. The formation of this task force signals a coordinated effort to investigate and dismantle the racket, ensuring accountability and justice.
Broader Implications and Public Concerns
Officials have raised alarms about fake Aadhaar numbers, which often bear the photograph of one individual and the name of another, posing a serious threat to identity security. Concerns extend beyond property fraud, with reports indicating that fake identity documents are being used to manipulate age records in child marriage cases. Since Aadhaar serves as a key identity document linked to multiple government and private services, including banking, the growing misuse has caused widespread public concern over data integrity and personal safety.
The new mandate in Belagavi is seen as a proactive step to restore trust in the property registration system and enhance overall security measures. As authorities ramp up efforts to combat fraud, residents are advised to verify their Aadhaar details regularly and report any suspicious activities to prevent further exploitation.
