BJP Corporator’s Certificate Allegedly Used in Fake Aadhaar, Voter ID Racket in Bharuch

Authorities are examining whether genuine identity cards have been issued on the basis of forged or questionable supporting documents in Gujarat’s Bharuch district.
The investigation stems from allegations that a voter ID card was issued after a certificate issued by a BJP corporator was reportedly accepted as a supporting document, in place of a marriage certificate.
Deputy Collector Manisha Manani confirmed that an inquiry has been initiated into the voter ID card allegedly issued using suspicious documents, including a corporator’s certificate and an electricity bill that reportedly did not belong to the applicant.
Investigators are seeking to determine if similar practices may have occurred at multiple enrolment and service centres across the district. They are also looking into whether any safeguards in the Aadhaar and electoral enrolment process were bypassed.

Station Road CSC Under Scanner

According to the allegations, a Common Service Centre (CSC) operating from Prithvi Trade Centre on Station Road in Bharuch processed an online voter ID application using the corporator’s certificate along with the electricity bill of an unrelated tribal resident.
Officials suspect irregularities in the supporting documents, although the voter ID card ultimately issued was genuine.

Alleged Cash-for-Service at Aadhaar Centre

Separate allegations concern an Aadhaar enrolment centre in Dayadra village.
According to the complaint, an applicant sought to update his wife’s Aadhaar card by adding her husband’s surname but was told that the required supporting documents were unavailable. The operator allegedly offered to complete the update for ₹1,000 while issuing an official receipt for only ₹75.
The Aadhaar card was subsequently generated despite the alleged absence of mandatory documents, the report claims.


Probe May Extend Beyond One Centre

The report further alleges that similar practices may be occurring at more than 100 centres across Bharuch district. Authorities have not yet determined how many Aadhaar or voter ID cards may have been issued through such means.
Police officials said earlier investigations had uncovered instances in which people purchased slum dwellings through notarised agreements, had their names added to electricity bills and later obtained Aadhaar and voter ID cards on that basis.

Verification Process Under Scrutiny

The allegations have raised fresh questions about document verification procedures and oversight at Aadhaar and voter enrolment centres in Bharuch. The probe is expected to determine how such documents were processed and whether weaknesses in the verification system allowed genuine identity cards to be issued on the basis of false or misleading records.
For many residents, the case has also revived concerns about how easily official identity documents can be obtained and whether existing checks are sufficient to prevent misuse of records submitted at enrolment centres.