NEW DELHI: A significant security breach was thwarted in the vicinity of Rashtrapati Bhawan recently when a person tried to gain access to a restricted zone using a counterfeit ID card supposedly issued for Republic Day 2024.
The accused, identified as Shivam Choudhry, a resident of UP’s Hapur, was apprehended by vigilant police personnel, and a First Information Report (FIR) has been filed against him.
The incident unfolded at approximately 8 am on January 11, as police officers were conducting routine vehicle inspections at Kartavya Path. Seeing his suspicious behaviour, the officers were alerted when a man confidently approached, presenting an ID card issued for Republic Day 2024, with the name Vivek Kumar.
Security personnel grew skeptical when they noticed a discrepancy between the photo on the card and the individual presenting it.
“He had an ID card labelled ‘Republic Day 2024 Temporary Photo Security Pass (Valid with Identity Card Only) Delhi Police Security (PM).’ The name mentioned was Vivek Kumar, claiming affiliation with the CPWD department and authorised access up to the Saluting Dias. However, his demeanor raised doubts, prompting us to verify his identity,” a police source told The New Indian.
Further scrutiny revealed that while the pass purportedly bore the imprimatur of a senior Delhi Police official, it lacked a valid three-dimensional logo, intensifying suspicions.
The accused, initially reluctant to reveal his true identity, was subjected to extensive interrogation. Eventually identified as Shivam Choudhry, he confessed to fabricating a colour photocopy of the pass issued to Vivek Kumar, employing the counterfeit ID to infiltrate Lutyens Delhi.
“He admitted to creating a replica of the pass assigned to Vivek Kumar, using this spurious ID to access Lutyens Delhi. He has been taken into custody,” affirmed the police source.
The incident highlights the importance of robust security measures, especially in high-profile areas such as Rashtrapati Bhawan, underscoring the need for continuous vigilance to thwart potential threats.