A surprise inspection by Saharanpur mayor Dr Ajay Singh at the city's municipal corporation office on Friday erupted into a physical confrontation after he discovered alleged irregularities in the vital records section. The incident, captured on video, has sparked a major inquiry into the issuance of birth and death certificates.
Inspection Triggers Physical Altercation
The mayor conducted the surprise check at the Nagar Nigam office in response to multiple public complaints regarding errors in official records and a sudden, unexplained surge in applications for certificates. During his examination, Dr Singh claimed to have found numerous incorrect entries in the registers.
When questioned about the discrepancies, clerk Surendra Singh reportedly failed to provide satisfactory explanations and stated he would "look into it." This response provoked the mayor, who then grabbed the clerk by his collar, dragged him out of the office, and warned him, "You will be sent to jail." The entire episode was recorded and later went viral on social media platforms.
Mayor Cites National Security Concerns
Speaking to the media afterward, Mayor Ajay Singh elaborated on the gravity of the situation. "I received numerous complaints regarding irregularities in the issuance of birth and death certificates. There has been a sudden increase in applications as well," he stated.
He directly linked the procedural lapses to broader security issues, noting, "Saharanpur is a sensitive district with many illegal residents, which makes this matter more urgent." The mayor referenced recent security crackdowns following the Delhi blast case to underline his point, calling it a matter of national security.
"I was elected to ensure people's safety. If a fake certificate had been issued, it could have led to something serious. Many people arrested for such activities have links to Saharanpur," Dr Singh asserted, justifying his strong reaction.
Departmental Inquiry Ordered Into Lapses
In the wake of the incident, Mayor Ajay Singh has taken official action. He has ordered a full departmental inquiry into the functioning of the birth and death certificate section and demanded a detailed report on the identified lapses. He stressed that negligence in such a critical matter would not be tolerated by the administration.
The clerk involved, Surendra Singh, was unavailable for comment following the altercation. The video of the scuffle continues to circulate online, drawing public attention to the alleged administrative failures in maintaining vital records.
