Two Pakistani nationals have been arrested in Karnataka’s Chikkaballapur district after they were allegedly found in possession of Indian voter ID cards and ration cards, which investigators say were obtained
by suppressing their Pakistani nationality. The arrests come amid the ongoing political row over the Karnataka government’s proposal to issue Permanent Residence Certificates (PRCs) through competent authorities like tahsildars. Recently, Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje had written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the Congress government’s move to empower Tahsildars to issue PRCs. The BJP had cautioned that such a move could allow illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Pakistan to obtain official documents and pose a national security threat. Responding to the criticism, Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge had told CNN-News18 that the PRC would be issued only after proper verification of documents and would, in fact, help the government identify and track illegal immigrants. A PRC is a document that residents of Karnataka can apply for to establish residency status and become eligible for benefits such as ration cards, education, employment and various government welfare schemes. The Congress has maintained that a PRC is only a residence document and has nothing to do with citizenship, which remains the exclusive domain of the Union government. Two arrests have been conducted by the Chikkaballapur police based on credible information received that Farah Naz and her son, Mohammed Fardeen, both Pakistani nationals, had obtained an Indian ration card and voter ID. An enquiry revealed that Mohammed Ayub Khan, a native of Bagepalli who was employed in the UAE, had married Farah Naz, a Pakistani national, while in the UAE. The couple has four children, of whom Mohammed Fardeen was born in Pakistan. Accordingly, Farah Naz and Mohammed Fardeen are Pakistani nationals, while Mohammed Ayub Khan and their other children are Indian nationals. The family is presently residing in Bagepalli. Following a clarification sought by the Chikkaballapura Police, the Deputy Commissioner verified the records and cancelled the ration card after finding that it had allegedly been obtained by suppressing material facts relating to nationality. The voter ID was also cancelled by the competent authority. Based on a complaint filed by Manisha N. Patri, Tahsildar of Bagepalli Taluk, a criminal case has been registered against Farah Naz and Mohammed Fardeen under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Foreigners Act and the Representation of the People Act. Both the accused have been arrested and further investigation is underway. According to the FIR, the complainant, Manisha N. Patri, Tahsildar of Bagepalli Taluk, stated that Farhanaz, wife of Mohammad Ayub Khan, and her elder son, Mohammad Fardeen, Pakistani nationals residing at Dasayyagaripally village in Kasaba Hobli of Bagepalli Taluk, had allegedly obtained voter identity cards and ration cards without acquiring Indian citizenship. The FIR further states that following a request from the Superintendent of Police, Chikkaballapur district, the records were examined. Based on the verification, it was found that Farhanaz and her elder son, Mohammad Fardeen, had allegedly secured voter identity cards and ration cards without obtaining Indian citizenship. Since possessing these documents without Indian citizenship is illegal under the applicable rules, the Tahsildar filed a complaint seeking legal action against both of them. Police have registered the FIR under the appropriate provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Foreigners Act and the Representation of the People Act. The investigation is continuing to ascertain how the official identity documents were issued and whether any officials or intermediaries were involved in facilitating the process.
