Oops, If a CM’s signature can be forged so easily, what about yours?

Expelled AIADMK member, MP Shashikala Pushpa writes a letter to Tamil Nadu Governor Vidyasagar Rao, feared that because CM Jayalalithaa now hospitalised because of her poor health, the people around her may forge her signature for their own benefits. Shashikala also feared that Amma supporters may also use this opportunity to nominate a deputy general to AIADMK to run the government also.

Shashikala requested TN Governor to verify all the official documents came from Jayalalithaa’s side.

It does raise a good question, we all are also at some point forged someone else signatures for our benefits. Everyone in their school life forged our parent’s signature for various reasons; Leave, Parent-Teacher Meetings, Low- marks approval sheets etc. We also take casual approach when someone asked us to sign the documents on their behalf. Many people don’t fear the consequences of forgery, but it’s actually a serious issue to think too.

What is Forgery?

Forgery is the faking of a signature without permission, making a false document or changing an existing document without authorization. The most common form of forgery is signing someone else’s name to a check, but objects, data and documents can also be forged. Legal contracts, historical papers, art objects, diplomas, licenses, certificates and identification cards can be forged.

Currency and consumer goods can also be forged, but that crime is usually referred to as counterfeiting.

False Writing
To qualify as forgery, the writing must have legal significance and be false.

Legal significance includes:
Government-issued documents such as driver’s licenses, passports, and state identification card.
Transactional documents such as deeds, grants, and receipts.
Financial instruments such as money, checks, stock certificates
Other documents such as will, medicine prescriptions, tokens, works of art.

In most jurisdictions, the crime of forgery is not charged unless the forgery is done with intent to deceive, commit fraud or larceny. This also applies to the attempt to deceive, commit fraud or larceny.

BY: Saket Sharma.