Fake Aadhaar Scam Exposes Child Marriages in Tamil Nadu: Health Staff, Local Shops Under Scanner

Krishnagir: In a shocking revelation that has rocked Tamil Nadu’s Krishnagiri district, authorities have unearthed a disturbing nexus of child marriage, digital ID fraud, and alleged insider collusion. At least six cases have emerged where families of minor girls tampered with Aadhaar cards to pass off child marriages as legal and avoid prosecution.

The fraud was uncovered by state health officials during routine monitoring on the PICME system — a government digital platform designed to track pregnancies. Health workers in Kelamangalam block flagged mismatches between the Aadhaar details provided by pregnant teenage girls and the system-linked records.

In one case, a 14-year-old girl, pregnant and married to a 29-year-old man, came to Nagamangalam Primary Health Centre in late May. Her physical Aadhaar card listed her age as 20, but PICME records correctly showed her as a minor. When questioned, the couple admitted to modifying the Aadhaar birth date at a browsing centre in Denkanikottai for just ₹200 — a cheap price for sidestepping India’s strict anti-child marriage laws.

Further investigation revealed an underground setup: fake Aadhaar cards being made at multiple browsing centres and photo studios in Denkanikottai and Rayakottai, charging up to ₹500 per forged ID.

Disturbingly, some health department staff were allegedly part of the operation. One health worker from Bettamugilalam panchayat has already been dismissed for aiding Aadhaar manipulation.

Dr. C. Rajesh Kumar, Medical Officer of Kelamangalam block, confirmed: “A team will inspect the centres involved. Village Health Nurses have been strictly warned not to participate in or ignore such illegal practices.”

District Health Officer Dr. G. Ramesh Kumar added: “All health staff are being sensitised. Supporting child marriage in any form, directly or indirectly, will not be tolerated.”

The district’s crisis is underscored by rising teenage pregnancies — 545 cases reported from April 2024 to March 2025 — with Shoolagiri (81), Krishnagiri Rural (72), and Kelamangalam (66) reporting the highest numbers.

District Collector C. Dinesh announced the formation of a special task force to investigate Aadhaar tampering and child marriage rackets: “Strict action will be taken against all those involved — from families and browsing centres to any complicit government employees.”