Woman with fake ISRO ID held

Posing as a senior scientist, a 40-year-old woman from Ahmedabad gained entry into the Indian Space Research Organisation’s headquarters with a fake ID card.

However, she was arrested by security forces who grew suspicious about her movements and was handed over to the local police.

The incident has exposed security lapses in the high security zone though ISRO officials denied any security breach.

The woman has been identified as Buela M Sam, a native of Punalur in Kollam district, Kerala. She is married to Alex Thomas, a high school teacher working in Ahmedabad.

According to the police, Buela arrived in the city on September 19 and she gained entry into the ISRO guesthouse on Old Airport Road using a fake ID card. She stayed there for two days.

On September 21, she came to the ISRO headquarters, Antariksh Bhavan, on New BEL Road and flashed an ID card that showed her as a senior scientist.

“But a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) official noticed the woman moving around suspiciously and questioned her. She claimed she had come to attend a conference. But as there was no such conference, the official grew suspicious and interrogated her. Her ID card proved to be fake. CISF officials informed the police about the incident,” said Police Commissioner B G Jyothiprakash Mirji.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that Buela had recently come from Ahmedabad to attend a relative’s funeral in Kerala. While she was there she got the fake ID card made at a local photo studio. Her husband told us that she is being treated for depression and at times she disappears without informing anybody,” Mirji added.

“The police are verifying the husband’s statement and are also investigating why she chose to enter ISRO. Officials from the Intelligence Bureau have been asked to look into the case,” the police chief said.

Buela was produced before the 10th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, who remanded her in judicial custody till October 6.

Jivanbimanagar police have booked her under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 419 (cheating by personation).