Jamshedpur : In a major breakthrough, East Singhbhum district authorities have uncovered a massive fake birth certificate scam originating from the Matiyabandi Panchayat in Chakulia block.
Addressing a press conference at the district collectorate auditorium here today, Deputy Commissioner Ananya Mittal and Senior Superintendent of Police Kishore Kaushal shared details of the ongoing investigation.
The scam came to light during routine verification of birth certificates submitted for student admissions under the Right to Education (RTE) Act.
A special investigation team led by the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), Ghatshila, was formed to examine certificates issued by Matiyabandi Panchayat. The investigation revealed that out of 4,567 birth certificates issued since January 2023, a staggering 4,281 were found to be fake.
Authorities have flagged the possibility of these forged documents being used for school admissions, passport applications, and availing government schemes.
A comprehensive list of fake certificates has been shared with relevant departments and will also be published in newspapers for public awareness.
Similar investigations have been ordered across all 11 blocks of the district.
An FIR (Chakulia P.S. Case No. 32/2025) was lodged on May 2 based on a written complaint by Chakulia Block Development Officer Arti Munda.
The complaint accused Panchayat Secretary Sunil Mahato and Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE) Sapan Mahato of issuing fake birth certificates to non-residents using official login credentials.
Following the FIR, a raid team led by the Rural Superintendent of Police apprehended five individuals:
1. Sunil Mahato, Panchayat Secretary, Matiyabandi (age 59)
2. Sapan Kumar Mahato, VLE, Matiyabandi (age 45)
3. Shivam De, VLE, Malkundi Panchayat (age 31)
4. Harish Kumar Pramanik, VLE, Tuju Panchayat (age 26)
5. Arif Alam, resident of Itki, Ranchi (age 27)
Police also seized computers, printers, laptops, and multiple mobile phones used in the creation of fake documents. A list of 190 confirmed fake certificates has also been submitted by the BDO.
The operation involved coordinated efforts by multiple officers from Musabani, Dhalbhumgarh, and Ghatshila police divisions.
Further investigations and raids are ongoing to identify and apprehend others involved in the scam.
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