Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Nov 20: The sessions court has rejected the anticipatory bail plea of 45-year-old beautician Amrin Irfan Khan, who is under investigation for allegedly issuing fake yellow fever vaccination certificates to passengers travelling to countries affected by the epidemic.

While turning down her bail request, the court observed that countries across South Africa and South America continue to battle yellow fever outbreaks, making the vaccine mandatory for travellers entering these regions.

The court noted, “The applicant allegedly committed forgery of the Yellow Fever card. It is a serious matter concerning national health security.”

The case stems from an FIR registered at Sahar Police Station in September, after two passengers—travelling separately from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya—were intercepted by the Deputy Airport Health Officer at Mumbai Airport for possessing fake vaccination cards. One of them reportedly told officials that the vaccination was administered by Amrin.

Amrin, whose father Dr Abdul Wahab Mirza served at the Airport Health Organization (APHO), Mumbai until 2014, approached the court seeking protection from arrest after police visited her residence. She denied all allegations, claiming she had never prepared, issued, or assisted in creating any vaccination certificate, nor had she visited the APHO office or met the passengers involved.

However, the prosecution highlighted major inconsistencies in the seized documents. According to investigators: The serial numbers did not match APHO-issued cards

The stamp and signature did not belong to any APHO Mumbai official

The certificates stated vaccination on a Tuesday, even though the yellow fever vaccine is administered only on Mondays and Wednesdays

With these discrepancies and the gravity of the offence, the court held that custodial interrogation cannot be ruled out, leading to the rejection of Amrin’s anticipatory bail plea.