Aadhaar, PAN, Ration Cards Invalid Citizenship Proof: Delhi Police on Illegal Migrants Crackdown

In a major shift amid an intensified crackdown on illegal migrants, Delhi Police, acting on directives from the Centre, has ruled that Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and ration cards will no longer be accepted as valid proof of Indian citizenship. Instead, only voter ID cards or Indian passports will be accepted during verification drives targeting foreign nationals suspected of residing illegally in the Capital.

Background of the Policy Shift

As per a news report, the move comes after authorities discovered that many undocumented migrants, particularly Bangladeshis, and Rohingyas, had acquired government-issued documents, like Aadhar, Ration, and PAN cards, to falsely establish Indian citizenship. During verification drives launched in October 2024, some migrants were also found in possession of UNHCR refugee cards.

Surveillance and Deportation Measures

Deputy Commissioners of Police in all Delhi districts have been instructed to increase vigilance over suspicious individuals. Delhi Police and intelligence agencies are working together to identify and deport illegal migrants. Officials clarified that refugee status without valid travel documents does not exempt foreign nationals from deportation.

Crackdown on Pakistani Nationals

In a related development, nearly 400 of the 520 Muslim Pakistani nationals living in Delhi have voluntarily returned to Pakistan. Their visas were revoked following a directive from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), after a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir. Effective April 27, the MHA has revoked all Pakistani visas, except those issued for diplomatic, medical, or long-term purposes; existing medical visas will be invalidated after April 29. 

Clarification on Long Term Visas

The government clarified that long-term visas granted to Hindu Pakistani nationals will remain valid. Delhi Police and the Intelligence Bureau have been tasked with further verifying records and ensuring timely deportation of non-exempt individuals.

Conclusion

The Centre’s revised verification protocol aims to prevent the misuse of Indian identity documents by illegal migrants. Authorities remain focused on identifying and deporting individuals residing unlawfully.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.