Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Action Against Eight Bangladeshis in Fake Birth Certificate Scam
In a significant crackdown on document forgery, police have taken action against eight suspected Bangladeshi nationals accused of fraudulently obtaining Indian birth certificates using fake documents. A case of cheating has been registered at the City Chowk Police Station, and the incident has sparked concerns over a much larger forgery racket operating across Maharashtra.
Forgery Timeline: February to August 2024
According to reports, the accused submitted applications at the Sub-Divisional Officer’s office between February and August 2024, and managed to obtain government-issued birth certificates using forged identity documents. The individuals identified in the case are:
Mohammad Jamil Siddiqui
Muzaffar Anwar Khan
Nabi Habib Sheikh
Yunus Rafiq Sheikh
Rizwan Khan Pathan
Sadiq Hussain Sheikh
Shahed Sajjad Sheikh
Mirza Anwar Baig
All eight are suspected to be illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. Authorities allege that they aimed to secure Indian citizenship by exploiting loopholes in the documentation process.
Statewide Scam: Over 2.23 Lakh Fake Birth Certificates Detected
Senior BJP leader Kirit Somaiya has claimed that the issue is not isolated to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. In a startling revelation, he stated that over 2.23 lakh bogus birth certificate cases have been exposed across Maharashtra. According to him, 80% of these applications included only an Aadhaar card as proof, and 97% of the applicants were reportedly Muslims.
This surge in fraudulent activity has raised red flags among both government and election authorities.
Political Angle: Election Timing Raises Suspicions
Investigative agencies are probing whether these fake documents were used to illegally register names on the voter list or to avail government welfare schemes. Since a spike in such cases was observed during the 2024 assembly election campaign, there is growing suspicion that the scam may have been strategically orchestrated for political gains.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a comprehensive inquiry, and the Central Census Director has sought a detailed report from the state government.
Similar Scams Uncovered in Jalgaon, Sillod, Pune
Authorities have also uncovered similar rackets in cities like Jalgaon, Sillod, and Pune, where forged documents were used to create fake identities. In Jalgaon alone, cases have been registered against 43 individuals, and two lawyers have been arrested in connection with the fraud.
Kirit Somaiya personally visited Sillod to discuss the ongoing investigation for over an hour and a half, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Trust in Institutions at Stake
The widespread nature of this forgery operation has raised serious concerns about the credibility of government agencies, the integrity of the citizenship verification process, and the transparency of the electoral system. As the investigation unfolds, it is expected that further action will be taken to plug loopholes and ensure accountability.