Measures suggested by city cops to curb illegal sale of SIM cards gathering dust at the Centre.
Seven months after the Mumbai police communicated to the central government about the measures that need to be taken to curb illegal sale of SIM cards, the Union government has been sitting on the suggestions. The Mumbai police plans to again take up the issue with the Centre with terrorist outfits targeting Mumbai.
Taking advantage of the arbitrary manner of the sale of SIM cards, terrorists have in the past bought them to coordinate during terror attacks, said the police. This had spurred the force to suggest measures to the central government to regulate sale of SIM cards. Although rules have been put in place, in practice, retailers bend rules and make exceptions while issuing such cards.
A senior crime branch officer said that several terror operatives have been found using SIM cards bought by furnishing bogus documents. “In a drive conducted in 2010, we found that many retailers were selling cards without proper checks. That’s why we chalked out measures to curb the menace,” said the officer.
During the driver, it was found that addresses of subscribers given to service providers were either incomplete or incorrect. If addresses were right, it was found that the subscriber did not stay there – meaning the documents were fake. In some cases, SIM cards were issued in the name of a certain person without that person’s knowledge that the card was being issued in his/her name.
Sources said that the preventive measures were conveyed to the state home department and later communicated to the central government during a meeting held by the top brass of the city police.
A police officer, who requesting anonymity, said that it was suggested to the government that when a new subscriber activates the SIM card, the voice sample be recorded and preserved with the retailer for three months after which it would be passed on to the service provider.
“We also wanted cameras installed at retail outlets so that the photo of a person who comes to buy a new card is shot. Other measures included blacklisting of retailers selling SIM cards and that this list be sent to service providers.
The officer said it was suggested that addresses mentioned by a subscriber be physically verified by the service provider.
Chief of the crime branch, joint commissioner Himanshu Roy, said since a considerable amount of time has lapsed since the norms were suggested, it was time to conduct an assessment. “If terror operatives are unable to communicate freely, it will certainly affect their functioning,” said Roy, explaining how this exercise would help.
Checks and balances
Recording a new subscriber’s voice when s/he activates a SIM card.
Setting up cameras at retail stores which sell SIM cards to capture an image of the buyer.
Blacklisting of retailers selling illegal SIM cards.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}