The West Bengal Police are conducting raids and search operations at various panchayat and municipality offices in the state to dismantle fake birth and death certificate rackets. These illegal activities surged before the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise preceding the recent Assembly polls. Raids are ongoing in locations like Suri, Rampurhat, and Dubrajpur in Birbhum district, Cooch Behar town, and the industrial township in West Burdwan district.
Allegations emerged during the Special Intensive Revision exercise regarding the issuance of fake birth certificates statewide. It is suspected that these irregularities were facilitated by certain sections within panchayats and municipalities. The police have initiated actions to eradicate these rackets that also aimed at including fake voters in the voter list. Officials are currently engaging with staff responsible for birth and death registrations at the targeted offices.
In response to the illicit activities, the police have seized birth and death registration records and associated documents from the municipalities and panchayats for thorough scrutiny. The authorities will verify the legality of issued certificates and examine if any were based on fraudulent documentation. Investigating officers may also interrogate senior officials involved in the process.
Following the change in government to BJP rule in West Bengal, new regulations were implemented for the issuance of birth and death certificates to counter the proliferation of fake documents. The state government introduced stricter registration rules to prevent the issuance of counterfeit certificates, with additional guidelines issued post a cabinet meeting.
