A woman posing as a senior scientist breached the high security Indian Space Research Organisation with a fake ID card but was quickly arrested, police said today.
Police said the 44-year-old woman has been identified as Jula N Shyam, a native of Ahmedabad. She has been sent to jail till October 6 on charges of criminal trespass and other offences.
She has been booked under various IPC sections including 471 (using as genuine a forged document or electronic record), 420 (cheating) and 490 (breach of contract of service during voyage or journey).
When contacted, A V Prasad, director, ISRO, told PTI, “an internal investigation has been initiated.”
Jula got through the first entry point using the fake ID ostensibly to attend a meeting of scientists scheduled on September 21 at the Indian Space Research Organisation headquarters located at New BEL Road near here.
Police Commissioner Jyoti Prakash Mirji said there were doubts about the authenticity of her ID card.
She was then questioned by BSF sub-inspector Rama Rao and after a brief enquiry handed over to CISF Inspector Lakshman Singh. Later, a police complaint was lodged against her.
Police said Jula had visited Kollam in Kerala to attend the last rites of her father on September 19 and after that, came to Bangalore the same night and stayed at ISRO’s guesthouse at Jeevan Beemanagar, around 10 km from the ISRO headquarters, by producing the fake ID card.
She had obtained the card at Kollam from a photo studio, police said.
Her card enabled her to stay at the guest house for two days.
Police said Jula’s husband, who is in the city, claimed that his wife is mentally challenged and is being treated for depression. Police said his statement was being verified.