Mumbai Police Files FIR Against Rohit Pawar Over Fake Aadhaar Card

The Mumbai Police’s South Region Cyber Cell has filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Rohit Pawar, a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), for allegedly creating a fake Aadhaar card in the name of US President Donald Trump. The FIR was registered on October 29, 2023, following a complaint from Dhananjay Wagaskar, the social media coordinator for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Wagaskar claimed that Pawar’s actions posed a threat to social security and incited public outrage against an independent institution. The police have initiated legal proceedings against Pawar and others involved, citing charges of forgery, identity theft, and dissemination of false information. These charges are based on multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 66(C) of the Information Technology (IT) Act.

Pawar’s Response and Allegations

In response to the FIR, Pawar described the situation as “funny.” He clarified that his intention was to highlight vulnerabilities within the Aadhaar card system rather than to engage in forgery. During a press conference on October 16, 2023, he demonstrated how easily fake Aadhaar cards could be produced using online tools, linking this to the potential for fraudulent voter registrations.

Pawar criticized Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for not reaching out to him for clarification before proceeding with the legal actions. He expressed frustration over the time taken by authorities, stating, “After wasting 15 days, all they have done is file a useless FIR.” His comments reflect a broader concern regarding the integrity of digital identity systems in India.

Legal Implications and Broader Context

The FIR against Pawar raises significant legal questions regarding the misuse of digital identity systems. The allegations of creating a false identity document underscore ongoing debates about the security and integrity of the Aadhaar system, which serves as a critical tool for identity verification across various sectors in India.

The charges against Pawar include provisions from the BNS that address the creation and use of forged documents. The legal framework aims to protect the integrity of identity systems, ensuring that unauthorized uses do not undermine public trust.

As the case progresses, the implications for both Pawar and the broader discourse on digital identity in India will be closely monitored. The evolving situation highlights the balance between innovation in identity verification and the need for robust safeguards against misuse.