The recent exposure of a fake passport racket involving Afghan nationals in Jabalpur has raised alarm bells among security agencies. The passports were allegedly obtained using forged documents including fake domicile certificates, Aadhaar cards, and other essential identity proofs, posing a significant threat to national security. Investigations revealed that Afghan citizens managed to procure Indian passports through a well-organised network that created fake identities and residential proofs based on fabricated addresses in Jabalpur. The racket allowed foreign nationals to infiltrate the system and obtain official Indian documentation, which could be used for cross-border movement or other unlawful activities. What makes the situation particularly dangerous is Jabalpur’s strategic importance. As home to one of the largest cantonment areas in the country and several sensitive defense and research establishments, the city is a crucial hub for national security operations.

 

The possibility of foreign nationals residing with fake identities in such a high-security zone is a major red flag for intelligence agencies. The matter came to light following the arrest of Afghan national Sohbat Khan, who was found to have obtained an Indian passport using fraudulent documents. Further interrogation led to the arrest of another Afghan, Akbar, and the unearthing of a local network involving individuals who helped forge identity documents in exchange for money. One of the accused, reportedly a forest guard, and others from different parts of Jabalpur were also found complicit in the racket. Authorities have emphasised the urgent need for stringent verification protocols during the issuance of sensitive documents such as passports, especially in strategically vital cities like Jabalpur. The involvement of local facilitators points toward the existence of a deeper nexus that could compromise internal security. Security experts have urged concerned departments, including the regional passport office, police and intelligence units, to tighten the screening process and track down all individuals involved in creating and using fake identities. As investigations continue, the case serves as a grim reminder of how local lapses can open dangerous pathways for infiltration and exploitation at a national level. 

 

 

Collector Deepak Kumar Saxena, while talking to ‘The Hitavada’, expressed serious concern over the use of forged documents by foreign nationals to obtain Indian citizenship in the district. He said that the documents such as domicile certificates, Aadhaar cards and caste certificates are being fabricated to appear legitimate under existing Government norms. In light of the recent exposure of this large-scale nexus, the Collector emphasised the urgent need to review and strengthen the process of issuing such documents to prevent further misuse. He assured that necessary initiatives and stringent actions will be taken to enforce a more vigilant system and curb this alarming trend.