BJP leader and former Lok Sabha MP Kirit Somaiya revealed on March 20 that a large-scale scam involving the fraudulent issuance of birth certificates to Bangladeshi nationals had been unearthed in Maharashtra’s Jalna district. Authorities have so far cancelled 3,595 such certificates, and further investigations are ongoing.
Speaking to reporters after meeting District Magistrate Shrikrishna Panchal, Somaiya alleged that a total of 8,551 birth certificates were issued in Jalna district to Bangladeshi nationals, with applications originating from Ambad, Bhokardan, Jalna, and Partur tehsils. “Of these, 3,595 applications have already been revoked. The remaining certificates will also be cancelled,” he stated.
Somaiya pointed out irregularities in the process, claiming that Naib Tehsildars, who do not possess the legal authority to issue birth certificates, were involved in the scam by bypassing regulations. “Such illegally issued birth certificates will be revoked,” he asserted, calling for strict action against those responsible for the fraudulent documentation.
Authorities have launched a crackdown on individuals involved in the fraudulent issuance of birth certificates. Somaiya disclosed that First Information Reports (FIRs) had been registered in 24 locations across Akola district, leading to 53 arrests. Additionally, 38 individuals remain absconding in Malegaon in connection with the scam.
The BJP leader further alleged a possible link between the fraudulent birth certificates and recent incidents of violence in Nagpur. He suggested that Bangladeshi nationals holding fake identity documents might have been involved, adding another layer of concern to the investigation.
Meanwhile, political tensions flared in the Maharashtra legislature as the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance reignited the controversy surrounding the 2020 death of Disha Salian, the former manager of late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput. The issue led to heated debates in both houses of the legislature on Thursday.
Somaiya, when asked about the ongoing discussions, stated that the investigation into Salian’s death should continue until her father, Satish Salian, is fully satisfied. The controversy has seen repeated allegations and counter-allegations, with the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray asserting that he would respond to all accusations against him in court.
Background on Disha Salian Case
Disha Salian tragically lost her life on June 8, 2020, after falling from the 14th floor of a residential building in Malad, Mumbai. The circumstances of her death have been the subject of intense speculation and political debate. In 2023, the Mumbai Police constituted a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), which concluded that her death was accidental. However, calls for a fresh probe resurfaced after Disha’s father, Satish Salian, reiterated his demand for further investigation on Wednesday.
The parallel developments, the exposure of a large-scale identity fraud operation and the revival of the Disha Salian case, have added to the already charged political climate in Maharashtra, as the ruling coalition and opposition parties continue to lock horns over these critical issues.
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