B'deshis taking out fake birth certificates

Annoyed Gauhati High Court seeks action plan from Dispur to end racket, warns that fake certificates will compromise NRC update

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, July 30: The Gauhati High Court has sought an action plan from Assam government to tackle the mece of fake birth certificates in the State.

Observing that hundreds of fake birth certificates were being issued in connivance with corrupt Health department employees, a bench of Justice BK Sharma said "it is a very serious matter, having repercussions even upon the matter of preparation of NRC that is presently going on."

"With such fake birth certificates, a person can easily register themselves as Indian citizens," Justice Sharma said, directing the State Home department and DGP to issue appropriate directions to the authorities responsible for preparation of NRC not to give indulgence to such fake certificates.

The court was hearing a writ petition by a Bangladeshi tiol - Md zrul Haque -  who had challenged the verdict of a Foreigners Tribul, placing reliance on a birth certificate purportedly issued by the Registrar of Birth and Death, Gozarikandi PHC, at South Salmara in Dhubri district.

Dr Shirazul Islam, the Registrar of Birth and Death of Gazarikandi, who deposed before the court yesterday, claimed that the birth certificate was fake and that a former Dealing Assistant Anowar Husssain had forged the sigture of the former Registrar in it. The Dealing Assistant is at present absconding as he failed to get bail, following an FIR in connection with a fake certificate racket. Four other locals were also med in the racket.

The High Court has asked the police to immediately take custody of the petitioner.

Justice Sharma also directed the State DGP and Commissioner & Secretary (Home) to apprise the court about their action plan "in such a serious matter." The State Health department has been also asked to take "necessary follow-up action."