India fines SIM card sellers $30,000 for accepting fake files

India fined SIM card sellers that accept fake documentation more than $30,000 in the past three years.

Fines are part of efforts to stamp out the use of counterfeit documents to buy SIM cards. Indian politicians fear the acceptance of forged documents when buying SIM cards is making it harder for police to track criminals.

The fear led to questioning in parliament this month, with politicians asking the Ministry of Home Affairs whether the "police department is finding huge difficulties to trace criminals due to lack of correct addresses."

In its response the Ministry detailed the action it has taken to stamp out acceptance of forged documents. As well as fining sellers more than $30,000, India has cancelled 322 SIM card selling franchises.

The actions were taken in response to complaints to police about the validity of more than 60,000 connections. India also faces problems from the spread of mobile phones with cloned identification numbers, which the telecoms regulator has called for action against.