Mumbai Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) after NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar demonstrated how a bogus Aadhaar card in the name of US President Donald Trump could be generated, highlighting alleged systemic fraud in voter registration. The incident has triggered political and legal controversy, raising questions about cybersecurity, electoral integrity, and the limits of political demonstration.

The demonstration that sparked controversy

On October 16, Pawar conducted a briefing in which he showed how fake Aadhaar cards could be easily generated through a website. According to officials, the purpose of the demonstration was to illustrate how fraudulent Aadhaar cards could be misused to create fake voter registrations, manipulate electoral rolls, and compromise the integrity of elections.

During the session, Pawar alleged that in Maharashtra, large-scale voter manipulation had occurred, including bogus voters being added, genuine voters deleted, and identities of deceased citizens misused. He cited official data to support his claims, highlighting that while an average of 6.5 lakh new voters were added annually between 2019 and 2024, this number surged to 48 lakh in just six months between the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly polls.

In his Karjat Jamkhed constituency, he claimed 14,292 new voters were added, 5,360 names deleted, and 14,162 duplicates inserted. He also alleged that Aadhaar cards from one constituency were being used to register voters in another, with photos and names altered to facilitate duplication.

Political reaction and FIR filing

The demonstration caught the attention of BJP social media cell co-convener Dhananjay Wagaskar, who viewed the video online. He lodged a complaint alleging that the video contained false and inflammatory claims against an office-bearer of the BJP, and demanded legal action against the creators of the website used for the demonstration.

Following the complaint, the Mumbai Cyber Police registered a case on Tuesday against two unidentified individualsunder the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for forgery, identity theft, and spreading false information, along with provisions of the Information Technology Act.

The FIR notes that the creation of bogus Aadhaar cards through fraudulent websites could mislead citizens, undermine trust in official institutions, and create discord between groups in society. Authorities are now investigating to trace the website operators and determine whether the platform was used to manipulate voter data.

Legal and political implications

While Pawar insisted that his demonstration was meant to highlight systemic vulnerabilities and electoral irregularities, critics argue that creating a fake Aadhaar card in the name of a high-profile international figure like Donald Trump was inflammatory and unlawful.

A senior police official explained, “The act of creating fraudulent Aadhaar cards, even as a demonstration, involves serious offences including forgery and identity theft. It can also damage public trust in official documents and systems.”

The BJP has alleged that Pawar’s actions were politically motivated, aiming to cast doubt on the integrity of elections where the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is a key contender. The political stakes are high as Maharashtra gears up for the upcoming Assembly elections, and allegations of voter manipulation have become a key point of contention between parties.

Pawar’s stance and claims of voter fraud

Pawar’s demonstration was part of a larger effort to draw attention to what he called large-scale voter fraud and duplication across Maharashtra. He claimed that the sudden spike in registered voters and instances of duplicate and misused Aadhaar cards indicate systemic failures in the electoral process.

He also emphasized that cyber vulnerabilities allow fraudulent actors to exploit official documents, urging authorities to tighten controls and prevent manipulation of voter rolls and Aadhaar-linked databases.

Ongoing investigation

The cyber police are actively probing the origin of the website used in Pawar’s demonstration, assessing whether it had been employed to manipulate voter data. Investigators are also examining if other instances of voter fraud have occurred using similar methods and whether political actors were involved.

The case underscores broader concerns about the security of digital identity systems in India, particularly Aadhaar, which forms the backbone of electoral verification and welfare distribution. While demonstrations like Pawar’s aim to raise awareness, authorities caution that unauthorised creation or use of digital identities can have serious legal consequences.

Key points at a glance

• FIR registered after Rohit Pawar’s demonstration showing fake Aadhaar in Donald Trump’s name.
• Complaint lodged by BJP leader Dhananjay Wagaskar, citing false and inflammatory content.
• Case filed under forgery, identity theft, and IT Act provisions.
• Pawar alleged widespread voter fraud and duplication in Maharashtra, citing spikes in new voter registration and irregularities in electoral rolls.
• Cyber police investigation underway to trace the fraudulent website and assess potential misuse of data.

The incident highlights the complex intersection of politics, cyber law, and electoral integrity, and serves as a warning about the consequences of demonstrating vulnerabilities in sensitive digital systems without proper legal clearance.