A staggering scam involving over 52,000 fraudulent birth certificates has been uncovered in the Rae Bareli district of Uttar Pradesh. The fake documents were allegedly used to settle Bangladeshi infiltrators, along with individuals from Pakistan, Nepal, and various Indian states, raising serious national security concerns.
The investigation, which commenced on July 18, 2024, revealed that the forged certificates originated from 11 villages in the Salon block of Rae Bareli. The operation is believed to have helped infiltrators and individuals from states such as Bihar, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh obtain identification.
Villages Implicated in the Scam
The fraudulent documents were concentrated in Palhipur, which recorded the highest number (13,707 fake certificates), followed by Nuruddinpur (10,151) and Prithvipur (9,393). Other villages involved include Madhavpur Ninaya, Sanda Saidan, Lahurepur, and Garhi Islamnagar.
Arrests and Key Accused
Four individuals have been arrested, including alleged mastermind Mohammad Zeeshan, along with Riaz, Suhail Khan, and Block Development Officer (BDO) Vijay Singh Yadav. Zeeshan, a resident of Salon, reportedly orchestrated the forgery in collaboration with others, using official credentials to approve the fake certificates.
BDO Vijay Singh Yadav initially filed a complaint to declare his innocence but was found complicit in the scam after investigations revealed he had shared his credentials with Zeeshan.
Magnitude of the Scam
The scale of the operation is unprecedented, with fraudsters generating up to 1,000 fake certificates daily, significantly exceeding the system’s designed capacity of 100 certificates per day.
Government and Security Measures
The Uttar Pradesh government has invalidated all fraudulent certificates and directed strict monitoring of the issuance process. Deputy Director Panchayati Raj, Saswat Anand Singh, has enforced new measures to ensure that birth and death certificates are issued with greater scrutiny.
The Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) are investigating the case to determine whether the forged documents were used for illegal activities or posed national security risks.
Discovery of the Conspiracy
Authorities uncovered the scam when birth certificates issued in certain villages far exceeded the population figures. Several village heads were unaware of the fraudulent activities, further highlighting systemic lapses in oversight.
This scam not only emphasizes the need for stringent monitoring and digital security but also raises questions about the exploitation of legal systems by foreign infiltrators. The ongoing investigation aims to uncover the full scope of this conspiracy and its broader implications for national security.
