A senior doctor of a city government hospital, a gazetted officer, was arrested on Sunday for attesting the documents that three Pakistani nationals and an Indian citizen used to procure Aadhaar cards four months ago. The four were arrested recently.
The police suspect that the doctor signed the documents in good faith and was not aware that three of them were Pakistani nationals staying illegally in India.
‘In good faith’
D.C. Nagalakshmmamma, Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Jayanagar General Hospital, allegedly signed a copy of the rental agreement and the introduction form stating that she knew the applicants personally.
The doctor was acquainted with Mohammad Shihab (30) from Kannur in Kerala when he studied in Bengaluru between 2004 and 2005. Early this year, Shihab approached her to help get an Aadhaar card for himself. He also introduced his wife Samira Abdul Rehman, Kirhon Ghulam Ali and Khasif Shamshuddin, as family members and got her to sign their documents.
“The doctor told us that she was not aware that Samira, Khiron and Khasif were from Pakistan. She checked the rental agreement and, as everything seemed in order, signed a copy of the document. She also gave an introduction letter, ” said a police officer.
With the attested documents, Shihab and the Pakistani nationals approached an Aadhaar centre in Kadirenahalli. In her statement to the police, Dr. Nagalakshmmamma said she did not receive any monetary benefit.
Booked for cheating
The Banashankari police said they arrested the doctor based on a complaint filed by an Aadhaar official and booked her for cheating and forgery and under Sections 32 and 34 of the Aadhaar Act.
Although the police seem sympathetic to the doctor, they say they have to follow the law.
If a person without identity proof wants an Aadhaar, he or she should get a form duly signed by an elected representative or a gazetted officer.
“Nagalakshmmamma signed the form stating that she knew the accused without cross-checking their background, which amounts to a serious violation under the law,” a police officer said.
