Malegaon Municipal Corporation Initiates Probe into Cancelled Certificates
The Malegaon Municipal Corporation (MMC) has announced a formal inquiry into the controversial cancellation of 3,460 delayed birth and death certificates. This decision comes after allegations surfaced regarding the issuance of these documents, with former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya claiming they were used to rehabilitate Bangladeshi and Rohingya Muslims, prompting calls for a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
Formation of a Seven-Member Committee
Mayor Nasrin Bano Shaikh revealed that a seven-member committee, led by herself and including the municipal commissioner and health officer, has been established. The committee's mandate is to investigate the reasons behind the certificate cancellations, submit a report to the state government, and find solutions for affected individuals. This move aims to address the growing concerns among citizens who relied on these certificates for various official purposes.
Political Backlash and Allegations
Mustaqueem Dignity, a corporation member from the Samajwadi Party, criticized the handling of the issue, noting that it arose after the dissolution of the House, with the administrator allegedly following state government directives. "We will now go to the bottom of the issue," Dignity asserted, emphasizing that justice was promised to Malegaon's citizens by both the ISLAM and SP parties.
Dignity highlighted that all 3,460 certificates, including about 300 from the Hindu community issued since 2023, were cancelled on grounds that the 'Naib Tahsildar' lacked authority to issue them. He questioned why applicants should suffer, stating, "Nothing incremental was found so far with any of the documents provided by the applicants which explains that seekers were genuine. The issue is with you as to who should have signed."
FIR and Fake Signature Claims
Of the 3,460 certificates, an FIR was registered at Killa Police Station in Malegaon against several individuals for 1,044 certificates. The Tahsildar Office claimed it did not issue recommendations for these and that they bore fake signatures. However, Dignity challenged this, asking why necessary steps like verification from handwriting experts or forensic departments were not taken before filing the FIR, which led to arrests including men, women, young, old, and even lawyers.
The process typically involves individuals applying for delayed certificates through the Tahsildar, who verifies and recommends issuance to the local governing body. In this case, the Tahsil office stated it issued orders for only 2,416 applications, not the full 3,460 processed by the corporation. "The applicants who submitted orders of Tahsildar office claimed they received from the office and presented it to corporation," Dignity explained.
SIT Report and Future Actions
Regarding the SIT report submitted to the state government, Dignity claimed it contained nothing adverse, suggesting that if it had, political forces would have used it during elections to sway public opinion. The committee also plans to propose relief measures for applicants who have already used the certificates for various works and schemes, aiming to mitigate the impact on their lives.
This inquiry marks a critical step in resolving a complex issue that has stirred political debate and affected numerous residents in Malegaon.
