Delhi Police Declares Voter ID or Passport Mandatory to Prove Citizenship Amid Crackdown on Illegal Immigrants

Voter ID and Passport Now the Only Valid Citizenship Proofs in Delhi

In a decisive move directed by the central government, the Delhi Police has mandated Voter ID cards or Indian passports as the only valid documents to prove Indian citizenship. The announcement, which affects identity verification protocols across the national capital, is being viewed as a key step in identifying and deporting illegal foreign nationals, particularly Bangladeshis, Pakistanis, and Rohingyas, many of whom have allegedly obtained Indian identity documents.

The directive was issued to all Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) in the city, with a focus on intensifying surveillance and verification operations.

Aadhaar, PAN, Ration Card No Longer Accepted for Citizenship Verification

According to senior Delhi Police officials, documents like Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and ration cards will no longer be considered as valid proof of Indian citizenship. The decision follows a months-long verification drive that revealed a large number of illegal immigrants using these documents to falsely claim Indian nationality.

The move comes in response to difficulties faced by enforcement agencies in distinguishing between genuine citizens and those living illegally in India under assumed identities.

“These documents are meant for welfare and taxation purposes, not to confirm nationality,” said a senior officer quoted in a Hindustan Times report.

Surveillance Intensifies, Focus on Deportation

With this new guideline, Delhi Police has ramped up its campaign against illegal immigration, particularly targeting undocumented individuals residing in unauthorized settlements. DCPs have been directed to:

• Enhance surveillance in vulnerable areas

• Verify suspicious residents based on the new identification rule

• Continue deportation efforts in coordination with central agencies

Authorities have also reported heightened action against Pakistani nationals living in Delhi. Of approximately 3,500 Pakistanis residing in the capital, over 400 have already returned to Pakistan via the Attari border, with additional cases under review.

Why This Matters

The move is part of a broader national push to tighten internal security and monitor cross-border infiltration, especially in metropolitan hubs. The exclusion of commonly used identity documents from citizenship verification is expected to have widespread implications for:

• Immigration policy enforcement

• Public welfare access controls

• National security measures

Citizens are advised to update their documentation accordingly and ensure availability of either a Voter ID or passport during official verifications.