UP Exposes Citizenship Scam Involving Suspected Pakistanis, Tentacles Spread Nationwide

A major conspiracy to secure Indian citizenship for suspected Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals using fake birth certificates issued in Salone (Uttar Pradesh) has been successfully uncovered. After the National Investigation Agency (NIA) stepped in, authorities identified over 500 forged birth certificates linked to addresses in border states such as Gujarat, Punjab, and Rajasthan. Of these, 58 certificates were cancelled on Tuesday (December 9). 

Certificates Linked to Border States Cancelled

Among the first to be revoked was a forged birth certificate issued in the name of Haider, showing an address in Thakur Vikas Nagar, Jodhpur (Rajasthan). Similarly, certificates belonging to Mohd. Abbas Ansari (Bihar), Saddam Hussain and Moin Khan (Jharkhand), Ali (Ludhiana, Punjab), and Sher Ali (Ahmedabad) were also annulled.

However, during verification, investigators found that no individuals with these names existed at the listed addresses — whether in Garhi Alinagar, Islamnagar, or their claimed original locations.

Links to Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Rohingya Infiltrators

According to security agencies, most of the suspects are believed to be Pakistani nationals or illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators. Notably, the list also includes four Bangladeshi immigrants arrested in Mumbai in 2023.

Also Read: Yogi Government Prepares a Strong, Tech-Driven Strategy to Curb Infiltration in the State

Earlier, Rohingya refugees apprehended in Jammu were also found carrying birth certificates issued from Salone, raising serious red flags. Investigators revealed that these forged documents were primarily used to apply for Indian passports and citizenship. 

Misuse of VDO Login IDs Across the Country

Meanwhile, the scam came to light on July 17, 2024, following deeper scrutiny after the NIA’s intervention. As investigations widened, connections emerged with Bangladeshi and Rohingya networks operating in cities such as Bengaluru and Mumbai.

Subsequently, officials concluded that the FIR pointed to a coordinated nationwide operation to legalise infiltrators using forged documents. The accused — Village Development Officer (VDO) Vijay Yadav, along with CSC operators Zeeshan Khan, Suhail, and Riyaz — are alleged to have misused VDO login IDs and passwords to generate fake birth certificates across multiple locations.

Cancelling Fake Certificates a Time-Consuming Process

At present, district authorities have formed special teams at both the Salone block and district headquarters to cancel nearly 52,000 forged birth certificates.

However, the process is proving time-intensive. Each certificate takes around eight minutes to cancel, officials said. On Tuesday alone, 558 fake certificates were annulled

Villages Where Fake Certificates Were Issued