A man who ran a shop that sold cellphones, accessories and SIM cards was arrested on Monday for allegedly selling SIM cards that were activated with forged documents, police said.

Jogendra Ojha was rounded up on the basis of a complaint lodged by a senior official of a network provider with Lake Town police station, an officer of the Bidhannagar commissionerate said.

The complaint mentioned that Ojha was selling SIM cards and activating them through forged identity cards, the officer said.

“Ojha had been selling SIM cards in this fashion for several months. We are trying to find out the exact number of SIM cards he had and we are also trying to track down those who bought them from him,” the officer said.

An applicant needs to submit genuine documents such as voter ID or driving licence to buy a SIM card. The retailer has to verify the documents and then forward them to the distributor, who will, in turn, send them to the service provider.

After receiving the application, the service provider makes verification over the phone before activating the SIM card within 24-48 hours.

The police said Ojha used to make extra copies of documents and photographs submitted by customers. “SIM cards were sold to other people on the basis of photocopies of the documents submitted by genuine customers,” said another officer.

Ojha has been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 419 (punishment for cheating by impersonation), 420 (cheating) and 471 (using as genuine a forged document), among others. If convicted, he can be sent to jail for seven years.

Ojha has been remanded in police custody.