Former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya Exposes Alleged Fake Birth Certificate Racket in Nashik
Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Kirit Somaiya made serious allegations on Monday regarding a widespread fake birth certificate racket operating in Nashik. During a press conference held at the office of City Mayor Himgauri Aher in Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan, the municipal headquarters, Somaiya claimed that fraudulent activities have been rampant, with nearly 18,000 old birth records uploaded during online registration potentially being bogus.
Mayor Assures Swift Action Within Three Months
Somaiya stated that he met with the mayor of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, who assured him that decisive steps would be taken to address this issue. The mayor committed to forming a dedicated panel to scrutinize all suspicious birth certificates, with a promise to cancel fraudulent documents and take legal action against those responsible within the next three months.
"Today I had a meeting with the mayor. He informed me that a committee will be established to conduct a thorough examination of the bogus birth certificates. He gave me his assurance that such certificates will be invalidated in the coming three months, and strict measures will be enforced against the guilty parties," Somaiya elaborated during his media interaction.
Evidence Presented and Police Complaint Filed
To substantiate his claims, Somaiya presented what he described as a 'fraudulent birth certificate' issued in the name of Shaikh Nayra Nur Mohammad from the Nashik Municipal Corporation's health department. He alleged that an organized gang has been actively involved in issuing these fake documents, and a formal complaint regarding this alleged fake document has already been lodged with the local police.
Somaiya emphasized the urgency of the situation, demanding a comprehensive inquiry from the mayor, municipal commissioner, and the medical superintendent of the NMC to verify the authenticity of these records. In response, City Mayor Himgauri Aher confirmed that an immediate investigation has been ordered into the allegations of fake birth certificates issued from the Satpur divisional office.
Comments on Tipu Sultan Portrait Row and Past Incidents
During his visit to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Somaiya also addressed the ongoing controversy over Tipu Sultan's portrait in Malegaon. He criticized what he termed as the glorification of historical villains, stating, "Many elements are eulogising villains as heroes. Just because their mayor got elected in Malegaon or in Parbhani, they should refrain from glorifying villains."
Additionally, Somaiya recounted an alleged attack on him and his car during a visit to Sillod from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on September 1 last year. He claimed that extremists targeted him while he was investigating matters related to bogus birth certificates, with CISF commandos intervening to push the attackers away. However, local police reported that protesters merely waved black flags at Somaiya in an attempt to stop his vehicle.
Broader Political Context and Future Plans
Somaiya revealed that he plans to visit various cities and towns where the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance has assumed charge, indicating a broader campaign to address governance issues. He drew parallels between the Malegaon episode and the alleged racket in Nashik, suggesting a pattern of fraudulent activities that need urgent attention.
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Mayor Sameer Rajurkar could not be reached for comments on the matter, adding a layer of uncertainty to the ongoing developments. As the inquiry progresses, stakeholders await further updates on the actions promised by the municipal authorities.
