Mangaluru: A large number of Aadhaar cards were discovered on the banks of the Netravathi river at Farangipete in Pudu village of the Mangaluru Assembly constituency, prompting Legislative Assembly Speaker and local MLA U. T. Khader to seek a formal investigation into the incident.
Following reports of the discovery, Khader has written to the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) office in Bengaluru, urging officials to conduct a thorough probe into how the Aadhaar cards ended up scattered along the riverbank.
Aadhaar cards discovered by local residents
According to available information, members of the public noticed several Aadhaar cards lying along the riverbank at Farangipete on March 3. The discovery reportedly raised immediate concerns among residents, as Aadhaar cards contain sensitive personal identification details.
Local residents who first spotted the cards alerted the president of the Pudu Gram Panchayat about the situation. Responding promptly, the Panchayat president, along with other local residents, visited the location and began collecting the scattered Aadhaar cards from the riverbank.
Witnesses said the cards were found in significant numbers, though the exact count has not yet been officially confirmed. The recovery of such documents from a public place has raised questions about how they were discarded or lost in the area.
Letter sent to UIDAI seeking investigation
In his letter addressed to the Project Manager of the Unique Identification Authority of India in Bengaluru, Khader stated that the discovery of Aadhaar cards along the riverbank requires immediate attention and investigation.
He noted in the letter that a large number of Aadhaar cards were found along the banks of the Netravathi river in Farangipete and that the matter had been brought to his notice following reports from the public.
Khader urged the UIDAI authorities to examine the issue carefully and determine the circumstances under which the Aadhaar cards were found in the area. He emphasised the need to identify whether the cards were lost, improperly discarded, or involved in any form of negligence or misuse.
Concerns over handling of identity documents
The incident has raised concerns regarding the handling and disposal of identity documents such as Aadhaar cards, which are widely used across India as proof of identity and address.
Authorities generally emphasise that such documents should be stored and handled carefully, as they contain personal information that can potentially be misused if they fall into the wrong hands.
Experts point out that improper disposal or loss of identity documents may expose individuals to risks such as identity theft or fraudulent use of personal details. As a result, incidents involving large numbers of identity documents being found in public places often trigger official investigations.
Direction to identify those responsible
Khader has directed the concerned authorities to conduct a detailed inquiry to determine how the Aadhaar cards ended up along the riverbank. He has also instructed officials to identify those responsible for the incident and take appropriate action at the earliest.
Officials are expected to examine whether the cards belonged to a particular batch or area and whether they were linked to any institutional process such as distribution, printing or delivery.
Further steps may include verifying the cardholders and ensuring that any affected individuals are informed or assisted if necessary.
Conclusion
The discovery of numerous Aadhaar cards on the riverbank has raised serious questions about the handling of important identity documents. With an official probe now sought from UIDAI, authorities are expected to investigate the matter thoroughly and take necessary steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.