In a decisive move aimed at tightening identity verification processes in the capital, Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena has ordered a comprehensive crackdown on the alleged misuse of Aadhaar enrolment by illegal migrants. The directive comes amid mounting concerns that foreign nationals residing illegally in Delhi are obtaining Aadhaar cards using forged documents—allowing them access to government benefits, financial services, and even voter IDs.
Aadhaar at the Heart of Identity Misuse
Aadhaar, India’s 12-digit unique identification number, has long been central to accessing welfare schemes, opening bank accounts, and verifying identity for everything from SIM cards to school admissions. While the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) maintains that Aadhaar is not proof of citizenship, recent cases have revealed how undocumented migrants—especially from Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Nepal—are acquiring it illegally through local agents and compromised Aadhaar centers.
This has prompted the LG to call for systemic reforms and tighter oversight, citing national security, economic stability, and administrative transparency as immediate priorities.
What the LG Has Ordered
On July 10, LG Saxena formally directed the Delhi government to initiate the following measures:
1. End Outsourced Aadhaar Enrollment
The LG has asked the state government to shut down all privately operated Aadhaar enrollment centers within two months, shifting Aadhaar issuance entirely to a government-controlled in-house model. Only designated state or municipal staff will be authorized to handle new enrollments and updates.
2. Conduct Monthly Audits of Aadhaar Centers
All active Aadhaar enrollment centers across Delhi will be subjected to monthly audits, focusing on verifying records, tracking suspicious enrollments, and identifying loopholes that enable forged documentation.
3. Submit a Master List of Centers
By July 15, the Delhi government must furnish a comprehensive list of all Aadhaar centers in the National Capital Territory, including those managed by municipal corporations, state agencies, and autonomous bodies. The list must include details of locations, personnel, and verification protocols.
4. Strengthen Field Verification Mechanisms
Officials have been instructed to carry out on-ground spot verification of Aadhaar applicants’ addresses and documentation, particularly in high-density migrant areas such as parts of Northeast Delhi, Okhla, and Jahangirpuri.
The Security & Welfare Dilemma
The concern isn’t limited to illegal entry alone. With a forged Aadhaar card, individuals can tap into:
- Government subsidies (PDS rations, housing schemes, LPG connections)
- Financial services (bank accounts, loans, insurance)
- Voter ID cards and electoral rolls
- Passport applications
- Employment in public and private sectors
Officials warn that this not only strains public welfare budgets but also compromises national security, allowing non-citizens to create full digital identities and participate in systems meant exclusively for Indian residents.
Similar Measures in Assam and Beyond
Delhi is not the first state to raise alarms. Assam, which has long grappled with illegal migration from Bangladesh, has recently made it mandatory for Deputy Commissioners to personally vet Aadhaar applications for adults. States like West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh have also strengthened documentation checks for identity issuance in border districts.
The LG has reportedly taken cues from these models, aiming to make Delhi’s Aadhaar framework “foolproof, verifiable, and audit-ready.”
Expert Concerns and Balancing Act
While the crackdown has earned praise from many in law enforcement and policy circles, some legal experts and civil society observers have cautioned against blanket suspicion or bureaucratic hurdles that could affect genuine applicants.
“The Aadhaar system is meant to be inclusive. We must balance national interest with individual rights. An overcorrection could affect elderly, homeless, or economically vulnerable citizens who lack formal documents,”
— Amarendra Choudhary, Advocate, Supreme Court of India
Human rights groups have also raised questions about the impact of these measures on long-term foreign residents, refugees, and stateless persons with legitimate humanitarian claims.
Can Delhi’s Aadhaar Crackdown Set a National Precedent?
The success of Delhi’s initiative will depend on efficient execution, inter-agency coordination, and safeguards for legitimate residents. If implemented fairly, it could serve as a model for other metros grappling with identity misuse in migrant-heavy populations.
The LG’s office has made it clear that Aadhaar registrations going forward will be subject to centralized tracking, geo-tagged enrollments, and audit trails for each operator. Any official or agency found enabling fraud will face strict disciplinary action.
Delhi’s response may mark a turning point in how India reconciles security imperatives with the inclusive intent behind Aadhaar—one of the world’s largest biometric identity systems.
FAQs About Delhi’s Aadhaar Crackdown on Illegal Migrants
Why has Delhi’s LG ordered a crackdown on Aadhaar issuance?
The directive was issued after reports of illegal migrants obtaining Aadhaar cards using forged documents. These Aadhaar cards were being used to access government welfare, create voter IDs, and open bank accounts, posing security and governance risks.
Who is being targeted in this Aadhaar verification drive?
The crackdown is focused on undocumented foreign nationals, especially those who entered India illegally and used fake documents to obtain Aadhaar. It does not affect Indian citizens or legal residents with valid documentation.
Are outsourced Aadhaar centers being shut down?
Yes. The LG has directed that all privately managed Aadhaar enrollment centers in Delhi be shut down within two months. Aadhaar enrollment will be handled only by government-appointed officials under a new in-house model.
How will Aadhaar enrollment work going forward?
All enrollments will require field verification, monthly audits, and be processed through government-controlled centers. A centralized log will track all activity, and any anomalies will be flagged for review.
Is Aadhaar proof of Indian citizenship?
No. UIDAI clearly states that Aadhaar is proof of identity and residence, not of citizenship. However, misuse of Aadhaar often leads to access to services that are meant exclusively for Indian citizens.
Will this affect genuine applicants?
Possibly. Tighter checks may delay applications, especially for people with limited documentation—such as homeless individuals, migrants in informal housing, or refugees with humanitarian claims.
Are similar Aadhaar restrictions being applied in other states?
Yes. Assam has already introduced strict vetting for adult Aadhaar applicants, and similar discussions are underway in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. Delhi’s new model could become a reference point nationwide.