Hyderabad man nabbed for forging Aadhaar and PAN, charging Rs 300 for DOB change

Hyderabad police detained a 36‑year‑old resident of Jalpally for tampering with Aadhaar and PAN cards. The accused, identified as Ch. Mahadev, operated a copy‑shop called Kavitha A‑to‑Z Online Services in Budwel and used a computer program to alter photographs, dates of birth, names and addresses on the identity papers. He charged customers Rs 300 for changing only the date of birth and between Rs 700 and Rs 1,000 for modifying all details. The forged documents were then used to obtain mobile‑phone SIM cards, claim government scheme benefits and secure jobs in private factories around Hyderabad. A task force of the Hyderabad Police Commissioner, based in the Shamshabad zone, together with officers from Pahadishareef police, arrested Mahadev after receiving reliable information. Seized items included Rs 5,000 in cash, about 60 altered Aadhaar cards, two fake PAN cards, a laptop, a printer, a lamination machine and a mobile phone. Mahadev, who studied only up to class VII, told investigators he turned to the illegal activity because earnings from his copy‑shop were insufficient to support his family. The recovered material and the suspect were handed over to Pahadishareef police for further legal action.

Context

Identity‑theft operations like this exploit the trust placed in government IDs and highlight the need for stricter verification in issuing SIM cards and job applications. Such fraud can undermine access to welfare schemes and employment opportunities for genuine applicants.