Suspected Afghan national, arrested during a raid on hotel, presents Aadhaar as ID proof

Although the woman goes by an Indian name, police became suspicious of her nationality when she spoke with a strong foreign accent

Police are probing the antecedents of a woman they suspect to be an Afghan national but has an Aadhaar card, a unique identification card issued by the Indian government only to its citizens, in her name.

The suspected Afghan national was also among the 16 persons arrested for prostitution in Gurgaon on Sunday. (HT File)

The woman was caught on Sunday night when the police bust a prostitution ring operating in Sector 39. Sixteen persons, including 12 women, one of whom is allegedly an Afghan national, were arrested in the raid at a guest house.

The woman produced an Aadhaar card when the police asked for an identity proof. Although the woman goes by an Indian name and claims to be married to an Indian, the police became suspicious of her nationality when she spoke with a strong foreign accent. When questioned about her nationality, the woman insisted she was an Indian, but the other arrested women said she was from Afghanistan.

The Aadhaar card of the arrested woman states her name as Jaspreet Kaur, wife of Parminder Singh, a resident of Mehrauli in South Delhi.

Police said they got suspicious by her mannerisms and facial features.

A case was registered at the Sadar police station in this regard. The matter is being investigated by the police. “An inquiry has been sent to the Indian Unique Identification Authority of India to check the Aadhaar details of the woman,” a police official said.

Talking to Hindustan Times on the condition of anonymity, a police official close to investigation, said, “That an Afghan national is holding an Aadhaar card came to our notice during the investigation of the case related to prostitution. It is a well-knit operation being run by two persons. How she got an Aadhaar card and whether she is legally an Indian is being investigated. If she is not a bonafide resident then a case will be registered against her.”

The police have sought all documents on the basis of which the Aadhaar card was made and issued to the woman.