Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Sep 2: The state government has instructed the police to register criminal cases even against the officials who issue fake scheduled caste/tribe certificates, in addition to the beneficiaries.

Till now, after the caste/tribe certificates were found to be fake, the issue was referred to the district caste verification committees. After the committee nullified the certificates, the tahsildar used to make them invalid. At the same time, the police used to be asked to register criminal cases against the guilty. So far, only the beneficiary was named in the criminal case. Henceforth, as per the instructions of the civil rights enforcement directorate, the person who obtains the certificate, tahsildar who issues the certificate, revenue inspector who issues favourable report for the issuance of the certificate, and the village accountant will also face criminal complaints

Chief minister Basavaraj Bommai, had issued these instructions at the meeting of high level officials on the handling of atrocity cases. Minister, Kota Srinivas Poojary, confirmed that if investigation proves that a fake caste certificate was issued, those concerned with the process will also be acted against.