Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh Police stated here that a case was lodged against an unknown person for applying and seeking E-pass over alleged entry of Donald Trump or Amitabh Bachchan faking the state e-pass registration.
Himachal Pradesh Police facebook page said that that police has receipt of a complaint regarding fake registration in the name of Mr Donald Trump and Mr Amitabh Bachchan in the Covid e-pass platform. Shimla police expected to register a FIR under relevant sections of IPC and IT Act for further legal action.
State Government two ministers also made a joint statement in this regard condemned the unfortunate incident stating that some mischievous elements with ulterior motive and nefarious designs were furnishing fake names and addresses while applying for Covid e-pass which was unfortunate and uncalled for.
Deputy Commissioner Shimla Mr Aditya Negi said that registration process is being done by the IT Department.
The e-registration is on the automode providing opportunity to anyone coming from outside to download the own document.
The portal is accepting the document automatically however approval was not being granted after this process.
Only those persons who would load his document on the platform would automatically getting approval. DC said that the provisions in the software needed to approve the further permission.
State Cyber Cell ASP Mr Ner Vir Rathore told UNI that state cyber cell did not lodged any FIR under IT Act however the action is being taken by SP Shimla.
Urban Development Minister Mr Suresh Bhardwaj and IT minister Mr Ram Lal Markanda said that service was aimed at providing hassle free entry to the people visiting the State but at the same time ensuring the safety of the people of the State.
Defending the sate Information Technology Department due of minister said that department developed software so that Covid e-pass could be provided to the people visiting the State which is the purpose that people have to get the names and addresses registered in the software so that their travel history could be tracked and traced.
Shri Bhardwaj and Dr. Markanda said that it was unfortunate that when the whole world was unitedly fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, a few people were engaged in such cheap deeds which was not only unlawful and illegal but was also against the safety and security of the people.
Two also urged the people to provide their wholehearted support to the government and also provide proper and authentic information in the larger public interest.
It is worthwhile to mention that issues rack up in the state when the faking of E-pass on the name of Former US president and noted Indian Bollywood super star was highlighted by some social media groups and online portals.
A WhatsApp group of media persons warned the state police and government that it should have addressed the verification of applicants on the e pass software to ensure its authenticity.
On registration of FIR about faking the e pass by the Shimla police, some of the media persons blamed the State police for failing to expose the culprits who fake the platform instead of warning the media persons.
It is interesting that during the first wave itself there was a flood of fake news forcing the state IT department to register a fake new online web portal. Interestingly one of the fake new registered on the web portal blatantly declared that Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur tested positive however he unfortunately along with more than seven ministers contracted the outbreak.
Rumors and fake news are posing again challenges to state authority which is already fatigued over one year of Covid management. A section of social media also reported that State Chief Secretary and many others officers of Jai Ram Government found positive however it was denied by the state press statement immediately yesterday.
The e pass is issued to both the dignitaries along with the photograph on the the validity of e pass is May 7. and one of pass is also issued on May 7. The location of pass is given from Chandigarh sec -17 to Shimla. The alleged pass also highlights visit of the dignitaries to one minister. The pass was made on the category of service and it was released to vehicle of Chandigarh. One of e-pass issued to Maruti -800 (Donald Trump)) and Beet 2010 model for (Amitabh Bachchan. A page of said platform is making round in social media or in some news portal with pics of two dignitaries.
Congress leader and opposition leader in Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha Mr Agnihotri said that it has exposed the or put question mark the system of E-Pass. He said that before getting this pass one has to present negative report of covid-19 however the process is being compromised. (UNI)
