The Punjab State Human Rights Commission has initiated a probe into the alleged misuse of an Aadhaar card for the issuance of de-addiction medicines in Ludhiana district. The commission has summoned the Civil Surgeon of Ludhiana to appear in person with a compliance report following a complaint of identity theft and fraudulent medication dispensing.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that the alleged misuse involves a resident from Beeja village in the Khanna tehsil of Ludhiana district. The complainant, Tarsem Bhardwaj, claims that his Aadhaar card was utilized by an unnamed de-addiction centre to dispense 98 tablets of de-addiction medication without his knowledge or consent. These transactions were reportedly registered on the relevant government portal.
Mr. Bhardwaj reportedly discovered the fraudulent activity when he applied for a weapons licence and underwent a dope test. The test results indicated that 98 de-addiction pills were recorded in his name, despite him maintaining that he has never consumed any narcotic substances. This revelation prompted him to approach the Punjab State Human Rights Commission with a formal complaint.
According to the complainant, the commission had previously issued directives on January 9 and March 12 to the Civil Surgeon, Ludhiana, and the Director of Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, seeking a detailed report on the matter. However, Mr. Bhardwaj alleges that no satisfactory action was taken in response to these earlier communications.
Following Mr. Bhardwaj’s renewed application on April 10, the commission has issued a fresh notice compelling the Civil Surgeon of Ludhiana to present himself in person at the next hearing. He is expected to provide a comprehensive explanation of the actions taken concerning the complaint. A copy of this notice has also been disseminated to the Director of Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, for their information and compliance.
In his complaint, Mr. Bhardwaj is seeking a thorough and impartial inquiry into the incident. He has also demanded stringent legal action against all individuals found responsible for the fraudulent use of his identity. Furthermore, he has requested the immediate removal of his Aadhaar number from the de-addiction medicine dispensing portal and has sought compensation for the alleged damage to his reputation.
Mr. Bhardwaj has expressed his distress, stating, “I have never taken any drugs in my life. This is a serious case of identity theft and fraud. I only want justice and accountability.” He reiterated that despite never having used drugs, his records falsely link him to de-addiction medication dispensing through his Aadhaar card details.
In addition to approaching the Human Rights Commission, Mr. Bhardwaj has also lodged a complaint with the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Ludhiana Range. He has urged the DIG to conduct a comprehensive and impartial investigation to ensure justice is served. The DIG has reportedly assured Mr. Bhardwaj that a report would be sought from the local Khanna police in connection with the case.
The incident highlights potential vulnerabilities in the system used for dispensing de-addiction medicines, particularly concerning the linkage with Aadhaar authentication. Authorities are expected to scrutinize the procedures followed by de-addiction centres and the oversight mechanisms in place to prevent such fraudulent activities. The investigation aims to identify lapses in the system and hold accountable those who may have exploited it for illicit purposes, potentially enabling drug abuse or creating false medical records.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
